What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

[JohnnyLaw]

Fully confident would only go for that Retegui IF none of Kane/Osimhen/Ramos can be signed at all,oh unless you meant instead of Wout

Agreed, but it’s probably something we should prepare for. At least in the case of Kane and Osimhen, there’s a decent chance they’ll both be out of range for us in the summer.

I like the look of Retegui though, he’s not too dissimilar to Ramos from what I’ve seen but I like that he looks more athletic. Ramos is the safer choice, but keeping Martial and Weghorst around could perhaps alleviate that risk somewhat whilst saving us some cash for what will by all accounts be a challenging summer financially.

 

[redcucumber]

Agreed, but it’s probably something we should prepare for. At least in the case of Kane and Osimhen, there’s a decent chance they’ll both be out of range for us in the summer.

I like the look of Retegui though, he’s not too dissimilar to Ramos from what I’ve seen but I like that he looks more athletic. Ramos is the safer choice, but keeping Martial and Weghorst around could perhaps alleviate that risk somewhat whilst saving us some cash for what will by all accounts be a challenging summer financially.

What makes you think that? Assuming there's no major hitch with the sale, I'd imagine the new owners/investors will want to make as big a statement as possible.

 

[JohnnyLaw]

What makes you think that? Assuming there's no major hitch with the sale, I'd imagine the new owners/investors will want to make as big a statement as possible.

Just from what I’ve heard, our financial situation seems strained at the minute. Even if we’re taken over by a wealthy owner I don’t know what effect that might have on our ability to spend short term, with FFP constraints and other factors.

 

[AneRu]

Just from what I’ve heard, our financial situation seems strained at the minute. Even if we’re taken over by a wealthy owner I don’t know what effect that might have on our ability to spend short term, with FFP constraints and other factors.

I think some 'levers' will be pulled to ensure that we are able to spend around £250m next summer. It depends on who buys us and whether we are even sold because the Glazers aren't that ambitious and so wont even bother. Shiek Jassim, on the other hand, will want to make immediate impact to bolster our upward trajectory under ETH.

What could feck us over is a sale that drags on well into June/July, one would assume that the likes of Osimhen won't wait around for that with Chelsea knocking at his door.

 

[croadyman]

I think some 'levers' will be pulled to ensure that we are able to spend around £250m next summer. It depends on who buys us and whether we are even sold because the Glazers aren't that ambitious and so wont even bother. Shiek Jassim, on the other hand, will want to make immediate impact to bolster our upward trajectory under ETH.

What could feck us over is a sale that drags on well into June/July, one would assume that the likes of Osimhen won't wait around for that with Chelsea knocking at his door.

Yeah the sale dragging on is the wildcard

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Crazy that this guy's name isn't thrown more around.

Spoiler

He'll be 28 and available on a free this summer.

I know it's the French league, but still.

I spotted him trawling through fbref but from looking at his videos, his best traits seems to be relating to being a set piece specialist. Most of his assists seem to come from the deadball. Bit of a French league Ward-Prowse.

 

[golden_blunder]

What makes you think that? Assuming there's no major hitch with the sale, I'd imagine the new owners/investors will want to make as big a statement as possible.

FFP

 

[El Jefe]

I don't know how we find ourselves in this situation but after spending £73m on Sancho and £84m on Antony we still desperately need a wide player. Rashford and Garnacho seem like the only ones we can rely on but Rashford also happens to be a part-time striker and Garnacho is still too young.

At the start of the season I was sure we were stacked in that position but its the opposite now. I've lost hope with Sancho and don't think Antony is anything more than a squad player.

 

[CM]

I don't know how we find ourselves in this situation but after spending £73m on Sancho and £84m on Antony we still desperately need a wide player. Rashford and Garnacho seem like the only ones we can rely on but Rashford also happens to be a part-time striker and Garnacho is still too young.

At the start of the season I was sure we were stacked in that position but its the opposite now. I've lost hope with Sancho and don't think Antony is anything more than a squad player.

Rashford, Garnacho and Sancho options on the left. Antony, Pellistri and Amad on the right. They're not exactly problem positions.

If we recruit well in the areas we're actively bad in, we'll be a proper team next season. A good striker, midfielder and goalkeeper would see us well on our way.

 

[croadyman]

Rashford, Garnacho and Sancho options on the left. Antony, Pellistri and Amad on the right. They're not exactly problem positions.

If we recruit well in the areas we're actively bad in, we'll be a proper team next season. A good striker, midfielder and goalkeeper would see us well on our way.

Would you get Raya in summer or wait and get Costa/Maignan following one

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

We desperately need players that can keep the ball and don't play reckless passes

Ramos
Rashford Bruno Sancho
De Jong Casemiro
Shaw Martinez Varane Dalot
Raya
​

 

[CM]

Would you get Raya in summer or wait and get Costa/Maignan following one

I don't think we can afford to wait any longer, so on that basis I'd pick Raya. If it turns out he isn't good enough either, we can go again the following summer.

 

[avgp_1]

I spotted him trawling through fbref but from looking at his videos, his best traits seems to be relating to being a set piece specialist. Most of his assists seem to come from the deadball. Bit of a French league Ward-Prowse.

Yeah he is nowhere good enough for top level. He has decent long range passing and ball striking but he won't fix our inability to play out or struggle against the press. Le Fee and Caqueret are the ones we should look at from the French league

 

[IRN-BRUno]

As well as a first choice CF I think we need a younger back-up too, one to watch could be Gift Orban. Only joined Gent in January from Norway's 2nd tier but has 7 goals in 5 league games and another 2 from 3 in the Europa Conference.

Can't say I've seen him yet but it sounds like a very promising start, guess there might end up being some comparison to Terem Moffi in regards to both being Nigerian and moving to Belgium pretty much unknown. Moffi ended up only playing a handful of games before moving to Ligue 1, possible that Orban will also be quickly on the move.

 

[ForeverRed1]

Harry kane -
James maddison
Rabiot and sabitzer
Min-Jae

Sell maguire, mctom, martial.

 

[croadyman]

I don't think we can afford to wait any longer, so on that basis I'd pick Raya. If it turns out he isn't good enough either, we can go again the following summer.

Yeah that is what we should do

 

[Ramos]

As well as a first choice CF I think we need a younger back-up too, one to watch could be Gift Orban. Only joined Gent in January from Norway's 2nd tier but has 7 goals in 5 league games and another 2 from 3 in the Europa Conference.

Can't say I've seen him yet but it sounds like a very promising start, guess there might end up being some comparison to Terem Moffi in regards to both being Nigerian and moving to Belgium pretty much unknown. Moffi ended up only playing a handful of games before moving to Ligue 1, possible that Orban will also be quickly on the move.

And last night he scored the fastest hat-trick in European cup history.

 

[Josep Dowling]

Centre Forward is clear priority. Then I would want a CM to replace Fred, GK to replace De Gea and a first team RB.

Anything else would be a bonus. Back up CB potentially.

De Gea is a massive problem for me and I’ve been saying this for years now. His terrible distribution causes so many problems at the back, particularly now we are trying to play football properly. I always thought we looked a better team with Romero in goal, his distribution was excellent and led to many goals because he didn’t mess around releasing the ball.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

And last night he scored the fastest hat-trick in European cup history.

Seems inevitable that he'll be on the move again this summer if he carries on scoring like this. Not sure what kind of fee Gent would be looking for but if it's something around £15m or so then he might be worth a punt.

I like Wout but if we're looking for a back-up CF as well then I'd much rather someone like this lad. We don't seem to have anyone in the youth that looks likely to break through soon so he'll get opportunities.

 

[golden_blunder]

Everyone likes receiving a gift

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Seems inevitable that he'll be on the move again this summer if he carries on scoring like this. Not sure what kind of fee Gent would be looking for but if it's something around £15m or so then he might be worth a punt.

I like Wout but if we're looking for a back-up CF as well then I'd much rather someone like this lad. We don't seem to have anyone in the youth that looks likely to break through soon so he'll get opportunities.

I feel we never make these kind of transfers. Seem happy to let them prove themselves at higher level clubs and spend big money. Can't believe for example Chelsea was let go unopposed for Datro Fofano for the pittance they paid for him. Think he would probably start for us.

 

[jesperjaap]

I don't know how we find ourselves in this situation but after spending £73m on Sancho and £84m on Antony we still desperately need a wide player. Rashford and Garnacho seem like the only ones we can rely on but Rashford also happens to be a part-time striker and Garnacho is still too young.

At the start of the season I was sure we were stacked in that position but its the opposite now. I've lost hope with Sancho and don't think Antony is anything more than a squad player.

We have Rashford, Sancho and Garnacho for the left. We have Antony, Pellestri, Amad and ELanga as well as the likes of Hannobal. Why do we desperately need a wide player? We are absolutely stacked.

We have maybe the form left winger in world football at the moment and one of the most promising youngsters AND SAncho who can also play on the right a big fee Brazilian in his first season at the club who has had a few niggling injuries, is still settling and has doen ok and another very talented youngster in Pellestri breaking through.

Its more a case of who we loand and sell in these positions rather than buy.....its the absolute least of our worries

 

[jesperjaap]

As well as a first choice CF I think we need a younger back-up too, one to watch could be Gift Orban. Only joined Gent in January from Norway's 2nd tier but has 7 goals in 5 league games and another 2 from 3 in the Europa Conference.

Can't say I've seen him yet but it sounds like a very promising start, guess there might end up being some comparison to Terem Moffi in regards to both being Nigerian and moving to Belgium pretty much unknown. Moffi ended up only playing a handful of games before moving to Ligue 1, possible that Orban will also be quickly on the move.

Dont know Orban,but I agree on the sentiment. People talking about a striker being a priority when its highly likely we need two as a possbility and maybe rightly in all cases for very different reasons that we actually lose 3 strikrers even though two havent been available for virtually the whole season. If thats the case there would only be Rashford and Charlie McNeill as our other striker options beyond a new signing

 

[redsunited]

1. CF: Osimhen 90m - Sell Martial
2. RW & Backup CF: Former Academy player 0m - Sell Elanga, do not extend Weghorst loan
3. CM: FDJ 70m, Sabitzer or similar for 20m - Sell McTominnay, VDB
4. GK: Raya 20m
5. Backup CD - Sell Macguire

 

[croadyman]

1. CF: Osimhen 90m - Sell Martial
2. RW & Backup CF: Former Academy player 0m - Sell Elanga, do not extend Weghorst loan
3. CM: FDJ 70m, Sabitzer or similar for 20m - Sell McTominnay, VDB
4. GK: Raya 20m
5. Backup CD - Sell Macguire

De Jong still stringing Erik along,so are you proposing we don't spend money on RW/backup CF then because bit confused?

 

[Appletonred]

£300m summer transfer budget if as looks likely Qatar is the new owner, pretty sure this thread can be locked come September 1st, Utd will probably have a super squad at that point.

 

[redsunited]

De Jong still stringing Erik along,so are you proposing we don't spend money on RW/backup CF then because bit confused?

RW/Backup CF, There is a chance for the former academy player to come back.

 

[Remember the geese]

Something like this would be a dream window. However, we will end up compromising on some of these players and some of those positions won't be addressed at all.

GK: Costa
RB: Frimpong
CB: Antonio Silva
DM: Lavia
CM: De Jong
CF: Osimhen

 

[croadyman]

RW/Backup CF, There is a chance for the former academy player to come back.

Oh I see who you mean now

 

[croadyman]

£300m summer transfer budget if as looks likely Qatar is the new owner, pretty sure this thread can be locked come September 1st, Utd will probably have a super squad at that point.

Hasn't there been a suggestion whatever happens with takeover and qualifying for Champions League we still need to adhere with FFP

 

[daba]

Something like this would be a dream window. However, we will end up compromising on some of these players and some of those positions won't be addressed at all.

GK: Costa
RB: Frimpong
CB: Antonio Silva
DM: Lavia
CM: De Jong
CF: Osimhen

Arguably the perfect summer. I don’t see Antonio Silva leaving this summer though, but he’d be the perfect Varane rotation option and long-term replacement.

 

[Rampant Red Rodriguez]

Copy Real Madrid and get 2 of the best youngsters in necessary positions.

 

[Suv666]

Reckon one position that needs to be looked at but and isn’t being talked about is RB. We concede so many goals from the right side and are very erratic going forward as well.

Both AWB and Dalot are great one day, stinker the next.

In terms of priority I’d say
CF, GK, RB, CM

 

[Suv666]

Everyone talks about GK and STs but no one mentions our RBs. Both Dalot and AWB are gash and we need a new one asap

wow I’ve posted this before. Sick of awb and Dalot

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

My top 5 summer signings:

Ramos - 65m pounds + adds on (120k pw)
Raya - 20m pounds (100k pw)
Romeo Lavia - 45m pounds (100k pw)
Kim Min-Jae - 45m pounds (200k pw)
Veiga - 35m pounds (110k pw)

Total: 210m pounds + adds on and 630k per week wages

Sell:
Maguire: 25m (200k)
Lindelof: 15m (120k)
VDB: 15m (120k)
McT: 25m (60k)
Martial: 20m (250k)
Elanga: 10m (5k)

Total: 110m pounds and 755k per week wages

 

[Waynne]

Something like this would be a dream window. However, we will end up compromising on some of these players and some of those positions won't be addressed at all.

GK: Costa
RB: Frimpong
CB: Antonio Silva
DM: Lavia
CM: De Jong
CF: Osimhen

Sweet baby jesus that would be some fecking window that. Lets just hope the recruitment team hit the ground running the moment the window opens.

 

[Woziak]

Hasn't there been a suggestion whatever happens with takeover and qualifying for Champions League we still need to adhere with FFP

Most of FFP issues are resolved with the following ;

1. Clearing the Club debt and therefore having a working capital without interest payments.

2. The 70% FFP will take 2 more years to implement this summer it’s 90% and based on amortised net transfer plus Agent Fee plus club player wages

3. Selling Home Grown assets like Scott Mctominay and Dean Henderson will improve the Transfer position considerably because unlike Maguire they have no amortised cost of sale because we developed them.

4. Finishing in a CL position guarantees an additional £60-70m on the revenue line which will improve Turnover for next year when the FFP sustainability rule is changed from 90% to 80%

EG club turnover £550M they can spend 90% of this figure on wages, agent fees on new transfers and amortised net transfers
So wages are £325m this year (20/25% Europa League ) We spend £300m on 6 players but all players are on 5 year contracts. The Agent Fees are 10% of that £300m so £30m one off upfront payment now monitored by FIFA. We then sell Mctominay and Henderson for a combined £50m and they sign 5 year contracts. There may be bonus payments in their contract that need to be paid to the players and agents. Contrary to popular belief the £50m received on sold players is not deducted from £300m spent making £250m and incurring FFP.

The sales of 300m are divided by the length of the contract so 300/5 = £60m which would be amortised year sale, then the £50m divided by 5 for players sales with give us an adjustment of £10m which is then deducted from £60m to give £50m

So in conclusion ; Turnover £550m : allowed 90% spend £495m
Actual spend would be £325m(wages), £35m Agent and admin fees , Amortised net transfer value £50m= Total spend £410m allowing for new contracts for new signings let’s say wages then go up to £375m for next season 24/25 we would have an issue because the 90% rule reduces to 80% so if turnover did not increase because we had no CL then we would have huge problems next summer but this summer window they could probably spend £500m over summer and winter transfer windows with a few strategic sales. This is why Todd Boehly spent nearly £600m, most of the players were bought on 7 year contracts.

 

[Gurtej]

Getting into CL is key and we will have a 300m transfer Kitty assuming we are taken over by Qatar or anyone who clear the debt and doesn’t add anything to it.

And if it’s Qatar, I won’t be surprised to see
Some commercial deal with Qatar airways that add to our commercial revenue as a way to tackle FFP. With potential new stadium, the revenue will increase even further. We shouldn’t have any problem is spending strongly in next few years with Qataris at the helm.

With 100m plus from outgoings, we need a 120m striker: Osimhen, FDJ: Irrespective of what he says, with Barcelona you never know, we should try and nab him at 80m. Another midfielder (Casemiro backup or under study); 60m, another CB: 60m… still left with 80-90m to spend

Outgoings include: Harry M, Henderson, McT, Williams, VDB, even one of ABW or Dalot, Baily, Elanga etc. that’s easily 120m.

 

[lex talionis]

The need for a striker is so overwhelming the obvious first, second and third priority it’s that it’s ridiculous to even think about other positions until we’ve dealt with the striker problem.

Yes of course we could use an upgrade on Eriksen, an upgrade on AWB, better cover for Varane and Martinez, and for some, an upgrade on De Gea. Not that it’s impossible to do all that if Qatar and sprays money out of a bubble machine but that may not actually happen. We do need to spend, but if we don’t bring in a proper striker we can bring anyone and we still won’t compete for the PL trophy. Bring in a proper striker in the class of Kane or Osimhen and we’re in the hunt even if all we do is bring up promising young players, add some depth to the CF position (Martial is a permacrock and probably can’t even be sold now) and CM positions, and clear deadwood such as McTominay and Jones, and we can talk about the PL.City would still be the favorite, but they wouldn’t be having a laugh at our squad IF we have a proven CF leading the line.

 

[kaku06]

A midfielder or 2 who can control the fecking ball can pass under pressure and can control the tempo of the game. I’m sick and tired of mcfred and even Bruno being utterly incompetent at these things.