What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

Kane is not the answer. Not for £120m. Better to pay £60m for Hojland and save funds to significantly upstage midfield and rb
 
Rice vs Caicedo vs Rabiot

If we are to sign only one midfield player this summer of these 3 who would be the best choice.

Who would be better suited to partner Casemiro?
 
Came to say GK, CM & ST

Seems many think alike. It would be enough for me to feel that next season will see United progress further

In reality though we probably need 6 top class signings to get near city. And that won’t happen unless the Qataris come in soon and go wild
 
ShinjiNinja26 said:
Diogo Costa, Kim Min Jae, Rabiot, Mount, Kane and Højlund is realistic based on who we’ve been linked with and although some targets are a bit underwhelming it definitely improves us but I think it all depends on if we get new owners who are willing to invest heavily and if we can shift a few players for decent money.
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We're incapable of negotiating a reasonable price for anyone, so that lot costs us way over £300m.

The fantasy we have every summer about raising loads of money through sales just never happens, we fail to shift them or they go for peanuts.
 
We need to go all out for a GK,CM and a striker. If we can address other areas great. But those 3 positions must be fixed at all costs or we will just stagnate.
 
very unrealistic, but ideal window imo:

buy:
Mike Maignan 70m
Kim Min Jae 38m
Rabiot 0m
Le Fee / Kokcu / Kone 30m
Mount 40m
Kane 80m
Marcus Thuram or Moussa Dembele 0m

sell:
Henderson 20m
Maguire 30m
McTominay 30m
Fred 20m
Elanga 15m
Martial 15m
 
I think today's game certainly showed where we need to upgrade.
I always thought that De Gea would be good for another season, but he looked so static on both goals, I'm not sure we could afford another year.
AWB was very good today, so I believe RB is solid, with Dalot as back up.
Varane and Lindelof were also good, and with Martinez coming back, unless Mengi and/or Kambwala are ready to step up, then a young pacy CB could be on the cards.
Shaw, although subdued today, is still good, and Malacia, without being outstanding, has shown that he can perform to a decent standard, and could, and should improve.
Casemiro is a shoe in (lucky not to get red today) as a DM, Fred, although I think he is decent, could move on if a good bid comes in. Eriksen was not really in the game at all, but I would keep him for games where we won't be under too much pressure in midfield.
Fernandes will stay, some great stuff, some poor stuff today.
Rashford was ok, but for me didn't get involved enough in the physical side of the game. He's a cert for the future, anywhere in the front three.
Sancho was disappointing, showed on a couple of occasions some skills, but is so weak in the 50/50 clashes. If a decent bid comes in, he should go.
Garnacho is the future, McTominay is also a decent player, but again, if a good bid comes in, then he should be on his way.
So for me a striker, or two, all round midfield player, goalkeeper and possibly a CB will be on the list.
I'm excited to see how our returning academy players perform in the pre season, I've always thought Hannibal was class, so now it's up to him to show Ten Hag what he can do. Mainoo could eventually be Casemiro's replacement, Iqbal looks good, but possibly a loan, as should Fernandez and Shoretire.
 
Don't want us to go on a Chelsea style spending spree signing 6 or 7 players. 4 world class players will be enough...

GK
CM
2 x CF
 
Agree with what most people are saying but still think right back is an issue as much as I like AWB and Dalot.

Urgent priorities: GK (possibly two) Striker (again maybe two), CM.
Secondary priorities: Right back, central defender to alternate with Varane.
 
Mr PG said:
Kane is not the answer. Not for £120m. Better to pay £60m for Hojland and save funds to significantly upstage midfield and rb
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Can i ask why some folk keep identifying right back as an issue at this time. How many options out there can neutralise some of the biggest threats from teams like AWB does? Yes he has issues but as a one on on defender the opposition player usually looses. Money is best spent elsewhere. As of Kane don't worry its fan appeasement nonsense and we are not buying him it would be eastenders saga with Levy. We need to build a strong team with likes of Hojiland and Viahovic more viable targets.
 
By position net spending:

GK:
In: 60m, also keep DDG as second choice and also a fall back option next year on a reasonable contract if he agrees as GK is a tricky position.

Else in a second GK option: 10m or free agents

Out: Henderson (30m)

Net approx. 40m

Defence: In: Kim 50m and I would like another RB 40m (AWB isn’t the answer for how ETH wants to play)

Out: Macquire (30m plus 10m add ons), AWB (15m plus 5m add on), Baily and Williams (10m plus add on)

Net spend: approx. 40m

Midfielders: 2 ready made top midfielders (150m total). Plus one Jack of all trade like Mount (50m)

Out: Fred and Mctominay (40m) and VDB (loan with option to buy)

Net spend: approx 150m

Forward line: One WC striker to guarantee 30 goals and up coming striker: Total outlay 170m

Out: Martial, Elanga (20m)

Net: 150m

Total needed to genuinely compete: 400m net spend. Doubt we can do all in one year, two windows with smart operations.
 
RedDevilRoshi said:
GK
CB
CM or maybe x2
X2 ST
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Yep, this is it. We’ll end up with new GK, CB, CM, and CF. Mount will be the CM. ETH was being kind about DDG in the post match presser, but I think his performances in crunch games towards the end of the season has sealed his fate.
 
I usually come into this thread and say the same thing every summer - ‘we need a clue’. Not players. For years I’ve said that I have no confidence in any success from the transfer market as almost every player who joins us instantly gives a worse account of themselves, and first and foremost, what we have needed was an identity and direction.

For the first summer in a long time, I am viewing this differently. We are largely extracting the maximum from the players that we so have, and the team has more of an identity than it has had in years. For once, it is simple enough to just point to a lack of quality in certain areas. Particularly in the forward areas.

A top forward and midfielder can transform us into title contenders. A new goalkeeper and depth at centre half would also be great.
 
World class forward/striker. I think we need 2 midfielders who are good ball carriers and fairly press resistant. A starting GK as well is absolutely paramount.

I'd say those 4 are the priority. Less priority needs are another CB for cover and a RB(I remain unconvinced on AWB and Dalot long-term).
 
Its quite simple in my view. We have 7 players that are capable of starting, 2 of which need replaced shortly.

Shaw
Martinez
Varane
Case
Bruno
Antony
Rashord

We probably have 5 other players that are good enough rotation/bench options

Either dalot/awb
Lindeloff
Malacia
Eriksen
Garnacho

We need 4 starters. Keeper rb midfielder and 9.

We need numerous squad players/capable back ups...

Keeper
Cb
2xmidfielders
Rw
9

The varane and case need replaced shortly.0
 
reddevilchennai said:
Rice vs Caicedo vs Rabiot

If we are to sign only one midfield player this summer of these 3 who would be the best choice.

Who would be better suited to partner Casemiro?
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None of them because we need a press resistant DLP and these three aren't of that ilk. Neither is Mount if that's what we're thinking.

Casemiro has only thrived when he's had a midfield partner who can singlehandedly escape a press because, one, he can't dribble or shield the ball, and, two, his passing range is poor so he needs someone close he can just lay the ball off to.

Arthur carried him when Brazil won the Copa and Modric carried him at Madrid as the players who'd progress the ball from deep and be the central outballs from an oppositions press. The aforementioned three you mention (+ Mount) cannot offer what they did so our midfield would continue to be unbalanced and, against better opposition, overrun.
 
One thing that has been clear all season and in the final is the lack of athleticism and how easy we get overpowered as a team. For all of City's flair, they have Walker, Rodri, Stones, Dias, Akanji and Haaland who are big units covering every area and the rest of their smaller players play at a high intensity. Even someone like Grealish is incredibly strong on the ball for a wide player.

Having the likes of DDG, Lindelof, Sancho, Eriksen, Martial, Antony makes us easy to dominate. Its extremely important that the players we bring in are not only technical but must be physically and athletically gifted. Under Fergie teams could never intimidate us when we had Rooney, Tevez, Park, Evra, Valencia, Brown etc.

Its good to see us linked with players like Kim, Rice, Mount, Osimhen, Caicedo, Rabiot because it implies that we know we need powerful and energetic players in the side. The Hoijlund lad looks tough as nails too.

No more signing weak as piss players please.
 
Let us be blunt. Our front line did not exist v City. If we don’t do something about our front line we can bring in the lovechild of Schmeichel and Buffon and we’ll still do no better than third in the PL.
 
It isn’t fifa or football manger.

the club is in process of possibly being sold. There won’t be major money spent or tons of ins and outs.

if we can get the kane/oshminen or even Ferguson and mount and min Jae it be very positive. Diablo is to come back too
 
El Jefe said:
One thing that has been clear all season and in the final is the lack of athleticism and how easy we get overpowered as a team. For all of City's flair, they have Walker, Rodri, Stones, Dias, Akanji and Haaland who are big units covering every area and the rest of their smaller players play at a high intensity. Even someone like Grealish is incredibly strong on the ball for a wide player.

Having the likes of DDG, Lindelof, Sancho, Eriksen, Martial, Antony makes us easy to dominate. Its extremely important that the players we bring in are not only technical but must be physically and athletically gifted. Under Fergie teams could never intimidate us when we had Rooney, Tevez, Park, Evra, Valencia, Brown etc.

Its good to see us linked with players like Kim, Rice, Mount, Osimhen, Caicedo, Rabiot because it implies that we know we need powerful and energetic players in the side. The Hoijlund lad looks tough as nails too.

No more signing weak as piss players please.
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Agreed with this. We lack physical fighters that are also technically good. Especially our front three that are weak, and their technical ability is not high enough to cover it.
 
Something like:

in:

Kane/Hoijland - 130
Mount - 40 + 10
Rabiot - Free
Lavia - 30 + 10
Ndicka - Free
Costa - 50

270 million

Out:

Dave - Free
Henderson - 25 + 5
Maguire - 30
Scott - 25 + 5
Fred - 20
Elanga - 10
Martial - 10
DVB - 10

140 million

Costa/Kovar
AWB/Dalot
Varane/Lindelof
Martinez/Ndicka
Shaw/Malacia
Casemiro/Lavia
Mount/Rabiot
Bruno/Eriksen
Rashford/Garnacho
Kane/Hoijland
Antony/Sancho/Amad

One can dream.
 
Rabiot, Mount, Hojlund, Costa is my minimum for this window.

Out: Sabitzer, Weghorst, DDG, Fred, McTominay, Telles, Bailly, Maguire, VdB, Henderson, Elanga, Pellistri, Jones.
 
Goalkeeper and striker both urgently needed more than anything else.

Maguire to go so a replacement CB. McTominay and Sabitzer (end of loan) are going so a new midfielder.

Goalkeeper (Costa)
Striker (Hojlund)
Midfielder (Mount)
Defender (Kim)

In that order for me.
 
lex talionis said:
Let us be blunt. Our front line did not exist v City. If we don’t do something about our front line we can bring in the lovechild of Schmeichel and Buffon and we’ll still do no better than third in the PL.
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The argument goes both ways. We could have Zidane, Beckham and Scholes feeding our attackers but if De Gea is hoofing it 70 yards every single time we’re in possession it’s pointless.

In this day and age you can’t afford to give possession away so cheaply. Teams spend hundreds of millions just on the basis of keeping hold of the ball with ball playing keepers, defenders and midfielders and we’re here with a guy who looks like he’s never kicked a ball in his life.

I generally don’t understand how a professional player can be so bad with the ball at his feet it baffles me.
 
Castia said:
The argument goes both ways. We could have Zidane, Beckham and Scholes feeding our attackers but if De Gea is hoofing it 70 yards every single time we’re in possession it’s pointless.

In this day and age you can’t afford to give possession away so cheaply. Teams spend hundreds of millions just on the basis of keeping hold of the ball with ball playing keepers, defenders and midfielders and we’re here with a guy who looks like he’s never kicked a ball in his life.

I generally don’t understand how a professional player can be so bad with the ball at his feet it baffles me.
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A Professional Spanish player who was just getting into that great Ticka Taka National team he actually captained the under 21 team that won the Euros under 21 with player like Tiago and then made his debut at 2014, Spain were still the European champions, they won nothing since, Enrique worked this out and got rid of him. We have carried David now for the last 2 to 3 seasons he simply invited pressure because he gives the ball inevitably back to the opposition 85% of the time. When Pep took charge of City, he got rid of Hart straight away because he knew he couldn’t play with the ball at his feet.

We actually need to get rid of D Gea completely and But Diego Costa and a young English keeper coming through and keep T Heaton as 3rd choice.
 
glasgow 21 said:
Can i ask why some folk keep identifying right back as an issue at this time. How many options out there can neutralise some of the biggest threats from teams like AWB does? Yes he has issues but as a one on on defender the opposition player usually looses. Money is best spent elsewhere. As of Kane don't worry its fan appeasement nonsense and we are not buying him it would be eastenders saga with Levy. We need to build a strong team with likes of Hojiland and Viahovic more viable targets.
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Because AWB is an absolute pawn on offense and doesn't contribute anything except holding play and passing it back. I agree there are spots that are more urgent to fill, but AWB isn't a RB we should be content with moving forward.
 
Baneofthegame said:
Something like:

in:

Kane/Hoijland - 130
Mount - 40 + 10
Rabiot - Free
Lavia - 30 + 10
Ndicka - Free
Costa - 50

270 million

Out:

Dave - Free
Henderson - 25 + 5
Maguire - 30
Scott - 25 + 5
Fred - 20
Elanga - 10
Martial - 10
DVB - 10

140 million

Costa/Kovar
AWB/Dalot
Varane/Lindelof
Martinez/Ndicka
Shaw/Malacia
Casemiro/Lavia
Mount/Rabiot
Bruno/Eriksen
Rashford/Garnacho
Kane/Hoijland
Antony/Sancho/Amad

One can dream.
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That's a lot of work for the powers that be to do, but that's a pretty good window, and I would agree with almost all those selections. I appreciate that it's almost impossible to judge the cost of players, for instance I think Kane and Hoijland may well cost more, but I think we could get more for Henderson, Scott, Fred and Martial, but that's a fine effort, well done.
 
Yesterday showed the fans the absolute truth, but perspective is needed that was our 62nd Game this season.

We played 24 cup games Won 18 Drew 3 Lost 3 so have a manger that has a wining mentality and probably extracted every inch he could from a threadbare squad at times and certainly one lacking quality all over the team positions.

The reality is this will take two seasons to build a squad likes City, assuming they stand still which they will not so we have to look at the glaring weakness we scored over 2.08 goals in cup games but only 1.52 in PL.

This summer we need 7 players to mount a title challenge increase our win percentage from 61 to 71 and achieve 27 PL victories. We need to get our number 1 or number 2 picks in these positions as
only they will improve the squad overall ;

Goal Keeper ;
Diogo Costa, David Raya (40-60m)

Centre Back ;
KMJ, M Gheui (45-55m)

DM/CM ;
M Caciedo, D Rice (80-100m)

Number 8/AM ;
M Mount/ J Maddison

Centre Forward ;
Harry Kane/ V Osimhen (90-130m)

Back up striker;
Rasmuth Hojlund/ M Thuram( 50/Free)

Right Winger;
O Dembele/ L Sane (60/50m)

The last one is assuming we need a player with pace that scares the life out of the opposition that will start most games and let Antony develop and fight for his place. This assumes that we sell J Sancho and Mason Green wood hopefully for £70-75m combined. Due to homegrown rule it means we have to sign at least two of Rice, ,Mount, Maddison and Kane. We will sell the obvious players plus Sancho and Greenwood and probably get £150m in total but the club will need to spend £400m so £250m net, this squad still would need another Right back, number 6/8 playmaker like Veratti and another young English GK coming through.

The squad should be able to get 85 points plus
 
glasgow 21 said:
Can i ask why some folk keep identifying right back as an issue at this time. How many options out there can neutralise some of the biggest threats from teams like AWB does? Yes he has issues but as a one on on defender the opposition player usually looses. Money is best spent elsewhere. As of Kane don't worry its fan appeasement nonsense and we are not buying him it would be eastenders saga with Levy. We need to build a strong team with likes of Hojiland and Viahovic more viable targets.
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I'm equally bemused by this, but I think that it's to do with AWB being good defensively but suspect (although improving) as an attacking RB, while Dalot is more like a winger but can be terrible in defence. It's also about comparing with other teams who rely on wing-backs. I agree there are more important priorities, given we're not going to correct all the weaknesses in one transfer window.

Personally, I would be happy with Kane and think he would be a good fit - but a short-term fix like RVP for Sir Alex. I agree we should look elsewhere if it turns into a protracted negotiation with Levy. I certainly wouldn't want to see us blow the budget on him if funds are constrained because of the ownership issue, then we should think longer term and go for someone like Højlund. Both would be perfect.
 
Castia said:
The argument goes both ways. We could have Zidane, Beckham and Scholes feeding our attackers but if De Gea is hoofing it 70 yards every single time we’re in possession it’s pointless.

In this day and age you can’t afford to give possession away so cheaply. Teams spend hundreds of millions just on the basis of keeping hold of the ball with ball playing keepers, defenders and midfielders and we’re here with a guy who looks like he’s never kicked a ball in his life.

I generally don’t understand how a professional player can be so bad with the ball at his feet it baffles me.
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A Professional Spanish player who was just getting into that great Ticka Taka National team
UnitedFan93 said:
Don't want us to go on a Chelsea style spending spree signing 6 or 7 players. 4 world class players will be enough...

GK
CM
2 x CF
Click to expand...

Here’s the thing we need 4 starting players - GK, CB/RW, CM, CF
and 3 Squad Players - Back up Striker, CB or RW, 8/10 Hybrid

That’s to stay still and end up Top 3 next year
 
Dumb question, but where does talk about player sales? Is it this forum or the main forum? There will be a lot of talk about some guys…
 
Woziak said:
Agree with this with the caveat that the Diego Costa rumours look very strong as well. If and it’s a big if, SJ and the Qatari bid is successful then I genuinely expect a crazy transfer window but only if we sell certain players to free up FFP;

My Guess is ETH is driving most of this with John Murtourgh whose probably thinking he needs to pull out all the stops to keep his job. We need to sell D Henderson (25m), H Maguire (30m), S Mctominay (35m). B Williams (5m), E Bailey (5m), A Telles (10m), DVB(15m)
This is £125m of sales but more importantly with Jones and Tuanzebe, Plus De Gea’s new contract we should free £1m per week. Anthony Martial and M Greenwood will be loaned out so we should free up at least 1/2 Martial’s wages and all of Greenwood. Providing most of this happens

SJ - Qatari owned Man united Squad after Summer Transfer Window
GK(3) - D Costa(60m), D Dea Gea,
T Heaton(HG)

Defenders(9) - D Dalot, AWB(HG), KMJ(45m), R Varane, V Lindelof, L Shaw(HG), T Malacia, T Mengdi(HG)

Midfielders(7) - Casemeiro, Ericsen, Bruno, D Rice or Caciedo (100m)(HG), Fred,
M Mount(45m)(HG) K Mainoo(HG)

Attackers (7) - M Rashford(HG),
A Garnaucho(HG), J Sancho(HG) , Antony, R Hojlund(45m), G Ramos or L Martinez (70/80m) , Neymar (Loan)

Yes this looks totally ridiculous and total cost would be £375m or Net £250m

The club can definitely do this with FFP providing they sell Mctominay, Maguire, and Henderson. We won’t get Kaine but I could see him coming in January as we loan out Hojlund or Ramos. Neymar this will be a pure vanity signing by the new owner and I could see SJR doing this as much as Qatar
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Would love this window.

Costa, KMJ, Rice, Mount, Hojlund and Neymar on loan would be my choices. I would keep MG and not bother with Ramos or Martinez, and maybe go for Leonardo (from Santos) instead. That would leave money to go for Kane in January, when we will be in a title race and Levy would be under more pressure to sell for around £40m.
 
Erik the Red said:
Would love this window.

Costa, KMJ, Rice, Mount, Hojlund and Neymar on loan would be my choices. I would keep MG and not bother with Ramos or Martinez, and maybe go for Leonardo (from Santos) instead. That would leave money to go for Kane in January, when we will be in a title race and Levy would be under more pressure to sell for around £40m.
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Unless Kaine goes to Madrid which is where Levy would prefer ?
 
If that Telegraph article is well founded, ETH will inevitable fail and eventually be sacked. How can we be signing De Gea to a new deal and be wanting a left winger ahead of a goalkeeper?!
 
Its funny how yesterdays game brings home the "stark reality we are a million miles away from challenging City" - And obviously truth in this, but go back six months and many were talking about Arsenal winning the title, the same side that were pretty poor until this season.

City have been the best side but they have been ran close. They always seem to come good after Xmas and squad depth is a big part of this for me (tries not to mention the charges against them!). Arsenal may well have got over the line if it wasnt for a couple of injuries (always thought they woul dbe caught as early as Xmas myself).

This is why we cant go out spending huge sums on a Kane or Rice for me.

Our first eleven is undoubtely three players short minimum, this needs to be adressed as the priority ST, CM, GK

But on top of that we are still a striker, CM, DM, CB, GK squad players short if we sell the majority of players we should this summer.

That is eight players short as a bare minimum.

Things can change very quickly but currently

Mount, Jae, Hoijlund look to be the heavily linked players with elements of truth in......thats £120m as a minimum, maybe another £30m likely....more than likely even with a big cull of outgoings, no negative spend there, still leaves us five players short and who knows our budget but I cant see more than another £100m available for four players (I think we only sign five anyway and less outgoings...but hey its what we need).

I would rather exciting young talents over experienced cheap or free ones, so I think we need to gamble to a degree with some signigs, we cant go out even soending £40m on someone like Lavia to get deals done with our spend so I think we should be looking at some bargains that offer potential:

DOnt know a huge amount about some players buy I see Vicario and Yehvann Diouf mentioned a few times as keepers both under £20m. South AMerican defensive midfielders....we should be looking for players we can turn into big players Alan Varela and Andre are both rumoured to be £10-15m as a back up and long term successor to Casemeiro, these kind of deals make sense.....they both also seem to be players that can play both CM roles. I see talk of AMad coming back next season and getting opportunities....personally I still feel Hannibal and more so Mainoo are capable of making breakthrough next season so beyoond probably Mount and a cheap wildcard, I dont think we need to sign a CM beyind this.

Up front people mentioning a young striker and an experiened one. Who are the experienced options Kane is the only one. Thuram isnt super experierienced and Omishen has only had a short period in Italy as well.

I think we sign a nother wild card, Gift Oban looks to have a great attitude and temperament and his rise has been phenomenal, looks like the bargain of the summer to me if he is around £20m
 
Castia said:
The argument goes both ways. We could have Zidane, Beckham and Scholes feeding our attackers but if De Gea is hoofing it 70 yards every single time we’re in possession it’s pointless.

In this day and age you can’t afford to give possession away so cheaply. Teams spend hundreds of millions just on the basis of keeping hold of the ball with ball playing keepers, defenders and midfielders and we’re here with a guy who looks like he’s never kicked a ball in his life.

I generally don’t understand how a professional player can be so bad with the ball at his feet it baffles me.
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I’m not having the “our forwards are shite because of our keeper” argument.

If we have the 70-80n it probably would take to bring in Costa after we’ve brought in two 9s, and 8 and backup 6, let’s do it. But if not, let’s not be daft with the resources we have.
 
R0nald0 said:
CF - Kane
CM - Mount
CB - Kim
RB - Frimpong
GK - Costa

I think that's £220m ish and we make around £100m in player sales

Maguire
AWB (Dalot just signed a new contract)
Mctominay
Henderson
DVB
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CF - Kane(100M)
CM - Mount(50M)
CB - Kim(50M)
CM - Rabiot(free)
GK - Costa(60M)

We are not buying a RB apparently. Probably the same list, but replace RB with another CM, maybe Rabiot but hopefully someone better.

My calculations tell me its gonna be over 260M easily.

Dunno if Kane is affordable enough.
 
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