Then I am glad to keep him! Getting at least one "star" wingback (Theo Hernandez, Frimpong, Grimaldo) should be a must.
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
The perfect summer doesn’t exist….?
Ins:
CB - Diomande - 50m
Perfect modern CB who could play across the three CB positions. Currently deployed as the middle CB at Sporting but last year was the RCB. Gives us 6 solid options with Yoro, Martinez, De Ligt, Evans and Shaw.
LWB - Alphonso Davies - 0m
No brainer of a signing. Still have Shaw as the main back-up who can also provide LCB cover. Hopefully promote Amass next year as 3rd choice.
RWB - Hakimi - 60m
Dream RWB signing, come the summer will only have 1 year left on his contract. I like Mazraoui but we won’t sell Dalot so he will need to make way and provided he avoids injuries should easily be sellable based on his performances so far.
CM - Baleba - 60m
Complete CM who has made good strides this year at Brighton. Would provide cover for both CM positions which will no doubt be occupied by Mainoo and Ugarte.
AM - Chris Rigg - 25m
Exciting prospect in the Championship at Sunderland. We might struggle to get him if they get promoted however so alternatives would be Roony Bardghji at Kobenhaven or Sverre Nypan at Rosenborg.
ST - Jonathan David - 0m
Proven and consistent goal scorer in France and I assume a good pal of Alphonso Davies. Would be good alternative to Hojlund who could play a really important role similar to the likes of Berbatov or Saha in their respective Utd teams.
Notable Outs?
Maguire and Lindelof - I feel Evans has outperformed him this year, is on 1/3 of the wage I think and probably happy to be a 5th/6th choice.
Malacia - Simply won’t suit the new system so hopefully we see him get a few minutes this year with us and we can find a club who will take him on a loan to buy or something.
Mazraoui - as above
Antony - no explanation needed
Casemiro - done okay recently and wouldn’t be the end of the world if he stayed, but if there’s any Saudi or MLS interest we should snap their hand off to get his wage off.
Garnacho - controversial but he’s someone that we will be able to get good money for might not suit the new system all that well.
Eriksen - love him as a player but feels like he’s already confirmed this is his last year.
Collyer - try and get some money for him that can be better used elsewhere. Seems like he has a good future but maybe not here.
Ins:
CB - Diomande - 50m
Perfect modern CB who could play across the three CB positions. Currently deployed as the middle CB at Sporting but last year was the RCB. Gives us 6 solid options with Yoro, Martinez, De Ligt, Evans and Shaw.
LWB - Alphonso Davies - 0m
No brainer of a signing. Still have Shaw as the main back-up who can also provide LCB cover. Hopefully promote Amass next year as 3rd choice.
RWB - Hakimi - 60m
Dream RWB signing, come the summer will only have 1 year left on his contract. I like Mazraoui but we won’t sell Dalot so he will need to make way and provided he avoids injuries should easily be sellable based on his performances so far.
CM - Baleba - 60m
Complete CM who has made good strides this year at Brighton. Would provide cover for both CM positions which will no doubt be occupied by Mainoo and Ugarte.
AM - Chris Rigg - 25m
Exciting prospect in the Championship at Sunderland. We might struggle to get him if they get promoted however so alternatives would be Roony Bardghji at Kobenhaven or Sverre Nypan at Rosenborg.
ST - Jonathan David - 0m
Proven and consistent goal scorer in France and I assume a good pal of Alphonso Davies. Would be good alternative to Hojlund who could play a really important role similar to the likes of Berbatov or Saha in their respective Utd teams.
Notable Outs?
Maguire and Lindelof - I feel Evans has outperformed him this year, is on 1/3 of the wage I think and probably happy to be a 5th/6th choice.
Malacia - Simply won’t suit the new system so hopefully we see him get a few minutes this year with us and we can find a club who will take him on a loan to buy or something.
Mazraoui - as above
Antony - no explanation needed
Casemiro - done okay recently and wouldn’t be the end of the world if he stayed, but if there’s any Saudi or MLS interest we should snap their hand off to get his wage off.
Garnacho - controversial but he’s someone that we will be able to get good money for might not suit the new system all that well.
Eriksen - love him as a player but feels like he’s already confirmed this is his last year.
Collyer - try and get some money for him that can be better used elsewhere. Seems like he has a good future but maybe not here.
Under Ruben Amorim, our squad becomes a lot easier to manage and buy for in my opinion. Especially in a 3-4-3/3-4-1-2 formation.
We should sort out or LWB crisis in January. Whether that be activating Alvaro Carerras buyback clause (rumoured to be around 15-20 million) and/or, buying cheap on Alphonso Davies as his contract is running out, and is primarily suited to an attacking LWB role. These are two cost effective options that should sort us out on the left flank.
As for the summer. I think we should look at offloading and evaluating the following players, especially ones that might not be a system fit with Amorim, along with players that congest the injury list or are regressing.
Sancho, Rashford, Antony, Casemiro, Eriksen, Malacia, Shaw, Lindelof, Mount, Dalot
I’m willing to be proven wrong on these players, and most of those guys should be auditioning for Amorim as part of long term fits for his squad.
As far as targets goes, we should aim big and target players that fit Amorims philosophy and principles. The striker position is intriguing because he could unlock Rasmus Hojlund, that being said, I think it wouldn’t hurt to target a proven goalscorer and system fit in Victor Gyokeres. He’d come at a steep price, but if Hojlund doesn’t prove to have the class as of yet, and needs time grow, it could be worth adding someone of Victor’s pedigree. Another option is someone I’ve been a longtime admirer of, Benjamin Sesko. He’s going to be a star wherever he goes and it’d be smart to poach him before another top PL club does.
I think a true RWB should be top of our priority list as well. An expensive pipe dream would be Achraf Hakimi. There’s no reason for PSG to sell, and he’d cost a pretty penny, but a player of his profile would absolutely rake in Amorim’s system. A cheaper option would be Monaco’s Vanderson. An extremely versatile right sided defender capable of playing an inverted or wide wingback role.
Central midfield will need 2-3 additions. Casemiro/Eriksen will be on last legs come next year, and we can’t pin 60 games on Ugarte and Mainoo alone. In an Amorim midfield two, he’s used a destroyer DM, along with a progressive box to box (Ugarte/Mainoo fit this to a tee) but we need other options. A prime target would be Martin Zubimendi. Composed, diligent, defensively conscious and a strong passer/facilitator. He’d orchestrate our midfield. Many top teams will be in on him, and we’d have to compete in being able to sign him and honestly most likely would miss out. However, the cheaper alternatives are strong. Hugo Larsson is a must buy for me. The young, lanky Swede is a key midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt. Proficient both as a deep lying playmaker, as well as a box to box. He has a bright future and a large toolbox of attributes suited to a modern, PL squad. Another is Atalanta’s Ederson. A pure box to box, a bottle of energy, and a tireless workhorse. Imagine Fred but with more composure, better passing and superior end product. Another player I rate for us, would be Joao Gomes from Wolves. Can play a variety of midfield roles, is premier league proven, and is still young enough to grow into a strong player. I like Hayden Hackney for a cheaper, homegrown buy. He’s done very well in the championship and would shore up depth wise for us.
If we’re switching to a 3 centerback style, we should look at adding another centerback. Martinez/De Ligt/Maguire/Yoro are fine options and I think all would benefit in a back 3, but strong rotation is needed. Jarrod Branthwaite was a target last summer, clearly rated by our scouts and I think we’ll sniff around him again this summer, perhaps for a cheaper price. Ousmane Diomande is a well liked young centerback on this forum, and would be a great addition for our present and future, doesn’t hurt that Amorim is very familiar with him as well. Unironically Eric Dier will be out of contract and is comfortable in a back 3, some Sporting/Portugal links there as well. Wouldn’t mind him on a free, purely as injury depth.
I think our most important signing, however would be in the free attacking role Amorim dispatches. The obvious answer is Bruno, and he would excel I think. But he’s nearing 30 and long term we need someone with attacking dynamism to link the midfield to the attack. I think the man for this is Xavi Simons. A superstar in the making, blessed with skill, tekkers, and end product. Capable of playing any attacking role in my opinion, and is a must buy for Manchester United. I’m unsure whether or not he still has that loan clause next summer, if he does, could be a can’t miss deal. If he’s unavailable, I feel most other top option are mostly unattainable for us. However I wouldn’t be unhappy with Pedro Goncalves. He’s Amorims most important player, the straw that stirs the drink so to speak. Capable of playing a free attacking role through the middle or on the wing, even sometimes playing central midfield. He reminds me of a Bruno type signing and if Amorim wants him we’d be silly not to have a look.
Lastly, and probably the least important of the wish list. Would be a true backup Goalkeeper. We don’t seem to trust Bayindir. I think it’s smart to give Onana rest and let him fully focus on and prepare for PL matches and important European matches without having to potentially think about Domestic games. I rate Matej Kovar from Leverkusen. We have a buyback on him and he’d be a more than suitable tall backup, while also adding to our homegrown list.
Sorry for the long post, and I may have gone a bit Sporting heavy with targets. But these are all the options I think we should at the very least, be targeting and keeping an eye on.
We should sort out or LWB crisis in January. Whether that be activating Alvaro Carerras buyback clause (rumoured to be around 15-20 million) and/or, buying cheap on Alphonso Davies as his contract is running out, and is primarily suited to an attacking LWB role. These are two cost effective options that should sort us out on the left flank.
As for the summer. I think we should look at offloading and evaluating the following players, especially ones that might not be a system fit with Amorim, along with players that congest the injury list or are regressing.
Sancho, Rashford, Antony, Casemiro, Eriksen, Malacia, Shaw, Lindelof, Mount, Dalot
I’m willing to be proven wrong on these players, and most of those guys should be auditioning for Amorim as part of long term fits for his squad.
As far as targets goes, we should aim big and target players that fit Amorims philosophy and principles. The striker position is intriguing because he could unlock Rasmus Hojlund, that being said, I think it wouldn’t hurt to target a proven goalscorer and system fit in Victor Gyokeres. He’d come at a steep price, but if Hojlund doesn’t prove to have the class as of yet, and needs time grow, it could be worth adding someone of Victor’s pedigree. Another option is someone I’ve been a longtime admirer of, Benjamin Sesko. He’s going to be a star wherever he goes and it’d be smart to poach him before another top PL club does.
I think a true RWB should be top of our priority list as well. An expensive pipe dream would be Achraf Hakimi. There’s no reason for PSG to sell, and he’d cost a pretty penny, but a player of his profile would absolutely rake in Amorim’s system. A cheaper option would be Monaco’s Vanderson. An extremely versatile right sided defender capable of playing an inverted or wide wingback role.
Central midfield will need 2-3 additions. Casemiro/Eriksen will be on last legs come next year, and we can’t pin 60 games on Ugarte and Mainoo alone. In an Amorim midfield two, he’s used a destroyer DM, along with a progressive box to box (Ugarte/Mainoo fit this to a tee) but we need other options. A prime target would be Martin Zubimendi. Composed, diligent, defensively conscious and a strong passer/facilitator. He’d orchestrate our midfield. Many top teams will be in on him, and we’d have to compete in being able to sign him and honestly most likely would miss out. However, the cheaper alternatives are strong. Hugo Larsson is a must buy for me. The young, lanky Swede is a key midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt. Proficient both as a deep lying playmaker, as well as a box to box. He has a bright future and a large toolbox of attributes suited to a modern, PL squad. Another is Atalanta’s Ederson. A pure box to box, a bottle of energy, and a tireless workhorse. Imagine Fred but with more composure, better passing and superior end product. Another player I rate for us, would be Joao Gomes from Wolves. Can play a variety of midfield roles, is premier league proven, and is still young enough to grow into a strong player. I like Hayden Hackney for a cheaper, homegrown buy. He’s done very well in the championship and would shore up depth wise for us.
If we’re switching to a 3 centerback style, we should look at adding another centerback. Martinez/De Ligt/Maguire/Yoro are fine options and I think all would benefit in a back 3, but strong rotation is needed. Jarrod Branthwaite was a target last summer, clearly rated by our scouts and I think we’ll sniff around him again this summer, perhaps for a cheaper price. Ousmane Diomande is a well liked young centerback on this forum, and would be a great addition for our present and future, doesn’t hurt that Amorim is very familiar with him as well. Unironically Eric Dier will be out of contract and is comfortable in a back 3, some Sporting/Portugal links there as well. Wouldn’t mind him on a free, purely as injury depth.
I think our most important signing, however would be in the free attacking role Amorim dispatches. The obvious answer is Bruno, and he would excel I think. But he’s nearing 30 and long term we need someone with attacking dynamism to link the midfield to the attack. I think the man for this is Xavi Simons. A superstar in the making, blessed with skill, tekkers, and end product. Capable of playing any attacking role in my opinion, and is a must buy for Manchester United. I’m unsure whether or not he still has that loan clause next summer, if he does, could be a can’t miss deal. If he’s unavailable, I feel most other top option are mostly unattainable for us. However I wouldn’t be unhappy with Pedro Goncalves. He’s Amorims most important player, the straw that stirs the drink so to speak. Capable of playing a free attacking role through the middle or on the wing, even sometimes playing central midfield. He reminds me of a Bruno type signing and if Amorim wants him we’d be silly not to have a look.
Lastly, and probably the least important of the wish list. Would be a true backup Goalkeeper. We don’t seem to trust Bayindir. I think it’s smart to give Onana rest and let him fully focus on and prepare for PL matches and important European matches without having to potentially think about Domestic games. I rate Matej Kovar from Leverkusen. We have a buyback on him and he’d be a more than suitable tall backup, while also adding to our homegrown list.
Sorry for the long post, and I may have gone a bit Sporting heavy with targets. But these are all the options I think we should at the very least, be targeting and keeping an eye on.
LWB is the glaring weakness in the squad if it’s Amorim
Oh boy! This thread is really never ending. 
Whether or not we could actually pull it off, Alphonso Davies is basically *the* perfect fit for this system.
Get Amorim to bring Gyokeres with him.
Once again, without the allure of Champions League football it's going to be incredibly difficult to attract world class talent to United next summer.
If you can't offer players like Davies and Hakimi the prestige they're accustomed to, the only other thing you have to offer is a salary too good to pass up, and doing that was one of the things that got us into the mess we're in to begin with.
If you can't offer players like Davies and Hakimi the prestige they're accustomed to, the only other thing you have to offer is a salary too good to pass up, and doing that was one of the things that got us into the mess we're in to begin with.
We’ve got to win the Europa league.
Give me Liam Delap over 100m on Gyokeres.
We'll be lucky if we make it into the final 16
We should get him and the young lad from Ipswich, and treat Shaw as a LCB if he’s ever available.
But for a 3-4-2-1, I think you could also play with 2 OMs
In our case Mount and Bruno, for example. Alternatively of course Rashford and Bruno.
With Garnacho and Amad I don't know if the position suits them, then rather a row behind them?
In addition, the system would make sense to sign a second flexible OM like my favorite player Eze.
Eze and Bruno or Eze and Rashford behind Hojlund reads well to me.
I can't imagine Garnacho as a wingback, which was briefly discussed here, and certainly not in this system. But actually he was always an excellent joker player who comes on from the 60th onwards and can play to his greatest advantage with pace, speed and dribbling strength when opponents are tired.
What do you think?
GK: Onana, Bayindir
RCD: Yoro, Lindelof (renew contract if reasonable wages - good squad player in this system)
LCD: Martinez, Shaw
CD: de Ligt, Maguire (activate 1 year option - good squad player in this system), Evans (renew contract if reasonable wages - good squad player in this system)
RWB/RM: Dalot, Mazraoui
LWB/LM: Davies, Amass (Shaw can also cover here)
CM: Mainoo, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mount, J. Fletcher
RAM: Garnacho, Amad
LAM: Fernandes, Rashford
ST: Hojlund, Zirkzee, Obi Martin
Minimal changes but there’s a fair bit of potential in our squad and I’m assuming we won’t have a lot of money to spend. It’s not the worst idea to go a Summer without spending huge money. Ideally I’d bring in another striker but I feel Gyokeres is overrated and Hojlund has potential. I like Sesko but he’s only scored 2 in 8 Bundesliga games this season and is still very raw. I feel he’ll be a beast in 2 years or so.
Davies at LWB on a free makes a lot of sense. Casemiro should hopefully thrive in a non ETH midfield. Maybe that’s reactive after last night but it makes sense, especially if played sparingly.
2026 transfers: Sesko for Zirkzee, one of the young CMs (loaned out next season) for Casemiro, Branthwaite for Maguire, Quenda for Mazraoui
RCD: Yoro, Lindelof (renew contract if reasonable wages - good squad player in this system)
LCD: Martinez, Shaw
CD: de Ligt, Maguire (activate 1 year option - good squad player in this system), Evans (renew contract if reasonable wages - good squad player in this system)
RWB/RM: Dalot, Mazraoui
LWB/LM: Davies, Amass (Shaw can also cover here)
CM: Mainoo, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mount, J. Fletcher
RAM: Garnacho, Amad
LAM: Fernandes, Rashford
ST: Hojlund, Zirkzee, Obi Martin
Minimal changes but there’s a fair bit of potential in our squad and I’m assuming we won’t have a lot of money to spend. It’s not the worst idea to go a Summer without spending huge money. Ideally I’d bring in another striker but I feel Gyokeres is overrated and Hojlund has potential. I like Sesko but he’s only scored 2 in 8 Bundesliga games this season and is still very raw. I feel he’ll be a beast in 2 years or so.
Davies at LWB on a free makes a lot of sense. Casemiro should hopefully thrive in a non ETH midfield. Maybe that’s reactive after last night but it makes sense, especially if played sparingly.
2026 transfers: Sesko for Zirkzee, one of the young CMs (loaned out next season) for Casemiro, Branthwaite for Maguire, Quenda for Mazraoui
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absolute pipe dream with no CL
I expect Davies will want Madrid, but if we offer him the attacking role I think he wants (said as much on some podcast called Say Less I gather) and more importantly, solidly higher wages, maybe we could swing it.
Gyökeres
Højlund
Rashford ---------------------------- Fernandes
-------- AM---------------------------- Garnacho / Diallo
----- LWB----------------------- Mainoo ------------------ Ugarte ---------------------------- Dalot--
Malacia / Amass ------------ Wharton --------------- Casemiro ---------------------- Mazraoui
Martinez ----------------- De Ligt ------------------------ Yoro
-----------Shaw ------------------- Maguire --------------Lindelof / Evans
Onana
Bayindir
Possible transfer targets:
ST
Viktor Gyökeres
Samu Omoridion
Evan Ferguson
AM
Cole Palmer
Jonathan David
Pedro Gonçalves
Trincão
DM
Adam Wharton
Carlos Baleba
LWB
Alphonso Davies
Alvaro Fernandez
Leif Davis
RCB
Ousmane Diomande
Antonio Silva
Zeno Debast
If we manage to bring in 4 key players next summer, we could challenge for the title already next season.
Should be affordable as we might get Alphonso Davies on a free and would also be selling a few players, like Mount, Antony and Zirkzee.