What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

With regard to centerbacks, Tomás Araújo might be an interesting option, as long as Benfica are reasonable with their demands.

Not as intense or robust as someone like Murillo (who should also be under consideration, as long as Nottingham Forest are willing to listen to sensible offers), but very few are as skilled on the ball, as inventive, or in possession of comparable field vision. In theory, a decent fit as the right centerback who is tasked with expertly progressing the ball through the half-spaces (as a passer or as a carrier). Perhaps young Yoyo could be the one who organizes the defense, and battens down the hatches with his athleticism and 6'4" frame... but also steps into midfield, as the central centerback?

The right centerback and left centerback positions are quite tricky. You have players who are exceptional athletes but not difference-makers in possession. And conversely, players who are difference-makers in possession but not exceptional athletes (Tomás is touch and go for this category from a Premier League perspective). What we will need, if not now then in 1-2 years, are wide centerbacks who inhabit the goldilocks zone (i.e. exceptional athletes and proper difference-makers in possession). Arsenal recently snapped up two of these rare pokémon in Calafiori and Timber, so the current mercato is somewhat depleted and we got our work cut out for us.



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Invictus said:
With regard to centerbacks, Tomás Araújo might be an interesting option, as long as Benfica are reasonable with their demands.

Not as intense or robust as someone like Murillo (who should also be under consideration, as long as Nottingham Forest are willing to listen to sensible offers), but very few are as skilled on the ball, as inventive, or in possession of comparable field vision. In theory, a decent fit as the right centerback who is tasked with expertly progressing the ball through the half-spaces (as a passer or as a carrier). Perhaps young Yoyo could be the one who organizes the defense, and battens down the hatches with his athleticism and 6'4" frame... but also steps into midfield, as the central centerback?

The right centerback and left centerback positions are quite tricky. You have players who are exceptional athletes but not difference-makers in possession. And conversely, players who are difference-makers in possession but not exceptional athletes (Tomás is touch and go for this category from a Premier League perspective). What we will need, if not now then in 1-2 years, are wide centerbacks who inhabit the goldilocks zone (i.e. exceptional athletes and proper difference-makers in possession). Arsenal recently snapped up two of these rare pokémon in Calafiori and Timber, so the current mercato is somewhat depleted and we got our work cut out for us.



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Click to expand...

I like this recommendation, does he have a release clause?
 
It seems Mbappe is unhappy at Madrid. We should consider signing him and offering Rashford as part of the deal. Adding Mbappe and Alphonso Davies on a free transfer would significantly strengthen our team.
 
​

New manager, new system, new needs.​

I do think some players might be given a 2nd lifeline (Casemiro, Shaw, Rashford) and some we’ll try to move on like Anthony, Maguire, Eriksen, Lindelof, Evans some of those due to contract situations.

Would think we probably need to sell to buy so I wonder if Dalot would be seen as a sellable asset and if people are interested in Carreras if we activate his buy back to then turn around and sell him. Would surely get close to 60 or more for both of those.
Then there is the Sancho fee which I take it will be more than 20 mil if all clauses are activated.

Anyway we probably need

2 x CB’s​
2 x CM
1x RWB
1 x LWB

Forward positions probably will need looking at, but would like to see what currently happens as it’s a bit flooded especially if Mount ever gets fit and can stay fit long enough to be of any use.

My suggestions of players I’ve see recently that I like or previously seen.

Wingbacks

Kerkez/Ait Nouri (think they are far better options than Davies who for me is wildly overated)
Frimpong

Midfielders

Balemba
Stiller
Gomes (Wolves)
Emerson

Centre backs

Murrilo
Branthwaite seems a bit pricey although I’m sure he would be decent as a Left sided CB
Scalvini is due back from injury soon.

We probably need a backup option that isn’t expected to be first team maybe Lindelof or Maguire happy with that.

Onana
Yoro-DeLigt-Martinez
Frimpong-Ugarte-Emerson-Kerkez
Amad—————Bruno
Rasmus


​

No matter what you do with the formation someone misses out who maybe shouldn’t miss out. Garnacho, Mainoo being the ones I struggled with the most here. Then there is Mount who if fit at his best probably walks in to that 2nd attacking mid role. But then it depends on how Ruben wants to adapt his system.

​
​
 
Andersons Dietician said:
​

New manager, new system, new needs.​

I do think some players might be given a 2nd lifeline (Casemiro, Shaw, Rashford) and some we’ll try to move on like Anthony, Maguire, Eriksen, Lindelof, Evans some of those due to contract situations.

Would think we probably need to sell to buy so I wonder if Dalot would be seen as a sellable asset and if people are interested in Carreras if we activate his buy back to then turn around and sell him. Would surely get close to 60 or more for both of those.
Then there is the Sancho fee which I take it will be more than 20 mil if all clauses are activated.

Anyway we probably need

2 x CB’s​
2 x CM
1x RWB
1 x LWB

Forward positions probably will need looking at, but would like to see what currently happens as it’s a bit flooded especially if Mount ever gets fit and can stay fit long enough to be of any use.

My suggestions of players I’ve see recently that I like or previously seen.

Wingbacks

Kerkez/Ait Nouri (think they are far better options than Davies who for me is wildly overated)
Frimpong

Midfielders

Balemba
Stiller
Gomes (Wolves)
Emerson

Centre backs

Murrilo
Branthwaite seems a bit pricey although I’m sure he would be decent as a Left sided CB
Scalvini is due back from injury soon.

We probably need a backup option that isn’t expected to be first team maybe Lindelof or Maguire happy with that.

Onana
Yoro-DeLigt-Martinez
Frimpong-Ugarte-Emerson-Kerkez
Amad—————Bruno
Rasmus


​

No matter what you do with the formation someone misses out who maybe shouldn’t miss out. Garnacho, Mainoo being the ones I struggled with the most here. Then there is Mount who if fit at his best probably walks in to that 2nd attacking mid role. But then it depends on how Ruben wants to adapt his system.

​
​
Click to expand...

Scalvini would be an ideal central CB in Amorims system. Shame he got his injury as it seemed like we were very interested in last summer.
 
Dunno if he is ready to play for a club like Manchester United, but Tom Bischof is a very interesting player. A lot of great central midfielders were adapted from attacking midfield positions (like Kroos and Pirlo), and while it would be barmy to suggest Bischof will adapt remotely as well in the grand scheme of things, he possesses the passing range to open up games, spatial intelligence to intricately influence the proceedings and wiry grit to do justice to such a role, particularly as the advanced No. 8 central midfielder in a 3—4—3. Contract at Hoffenheim expires in the summer, according to Transfermarkt, so it could be a cheap developmental punt (as long as we aren't worried about his physique from a Premier League perspective).





Despite only being 19 years old, Tom Bischof has already gained plenty of experience in football. The TSG Hoffenheim player made his Bundesliga debut in March 2022 at the age of 16 and has been training with the Bundesliga team for three years. The midfielder, who has been at TSG since 2015, has now received his greatest individual honour: Bischof was awarded the Fritz Walter Gold Medal by the German Football Association for being the best young player born in 2005.
Click to expand...
Bischof receives Fritz Walter Gold Medal

jnIWilM.png


Transfermarkt link.
 
New CB > Lindelof
New LWB > Malacia
New CM > Eriksen
New ST > Rashford

Antony + Zirkzee can also be moved on if they don’t show anything this season.

GK: Onana / GK 2 / GK 3

CB: Yoro
CB: De Ligt / Maguire
CB: Martinez / Branthwaite?

RWB: Dalot / Mazraoui
LWB: Davies? / Shaw

CM: Mainoo / Casemiro
CM: ? / Ugarte

AM: Amad / Garnacho
AM: Fernandes / Mount

CF: Gyokeres? / Hojlund

Let’s see who has a strong 2nd half of the season.
 
Passion, attitude, players with higher football IQ and technical ability. Don't ask me who are they.

e. Reliable goalscorer of course but we need to create more and dictate midfield if we want to get the best out of strikers. Even Haaland would not score over 20 in current United.
 
3 good players would make a big difference I feel: centre forward, controlling midfielder and left wing back.
Gyokeres is a no brainer. I would probably bring Alvaro back too. Not sure about midfield.
 
We desperately need someone in midfield to progress the ball from defence to attack whether that's through dribbling with the ball or passing range. Ideally both. Would love two such players one adept at controlling tempo and one to play alongside or in the 10.

Any players coming in should have a good level of athleticism, technique and mentality. Sick of signing these slow as shit players that look like they're running through treacle or players who have the turning circle of an oil tanker or who can't make simple passes or play out of tight spaces/ through a press or players whose head drops after some adversity. We just end up passing the ball around our backline before hoofing it upfield for an inevitable turnover of possession.
 
My top 3 Wishlist: Frimpong, Alphonso Davies, and striker who can score goals (May be Gyokeres).
 
From the glaring deficiencies from that first game, the sooner we get in a reliable: striker, holding mid and wingback the better. I have absolutely no idea how Casemiro and Eriksen are going to get minutes bar the end of games and potentially against much lower ranked cup teams. I love Bruno but I am coming around to the idea of moving him on while his value is still relevant.

I hope Amorim can get these players ticking but I dont hold out much hope from the usual suspects. Due to this new system, we should definitely attempt to cash in on Rashford and Garnacho, players that I love individually but I don't see having a role. We'll need to raise funds to buy in the summer.
 
Last Transfer Window Ranked:
Mazraoui 7/10 (fairly solid / good value)
Yoro TBD
Zirkzee 2/10 (not suited for PL or our team as we are... Just far too slow)
De Ligt 4/10 (too slow to play a higher press)
Ugathe 5/10 (bit limited but room to improve).

Players to keep:
Hojlund
Bruno
Mount
Ugathe
Martinez
Yoro
Mazraoui
Garnacho
Collyer
Mainoo
Amad
Onana
Dalot
Malacia
Amass

Sell/Release
Maguire
Lindelof
De Ligt
Antony
Cas
Erikson
Evans
Shaw
Zirkzee
Rashford

Consider Buying
Joao Pedro
Delap
Semenyo
Kerkez
Mbeuno
Ait Nouri
Hutchinson
Dibling
Paqueta
Anderson
David
Gyokeres
Zubemendi
Davies
Gomes
 
Indigofink said:
Last Transfer Window Ranked:
Mazraoui 7/10 (fairly solid / good value)
Yoro TBD
Zirkzee 2/10 (not suited for PL or our team as we are... Just far too slow)
De Ligt 4/10 (too slow to play a higher press)
Ugathe 5/10 (bit limited but room to improve).

Players to keep:
Hojlund
Bruno
Mount
Ugathe
Martinez
Yoro
Mazraoui
Garnacho
Collyer
Mainoo
Amad
Onana
Dalot
Malacia
Amass

Sell/Release
Maguire
Lindelof
De Ligt
Antony
Cas
Erikson
Evans
Shaw
Zirkzee
Rashford

Consider Buying
Joao Pedro
Delap
Semenyo
Kerkez
Mbeuno
Ait Nouri
Hutchinson
Dibling
Paqueta
Anderson
David
Gyokeres
Zubemendi
Davies
Gomes
Click to expand...
Could I ask why you do not rate De Ligt?

I think he has been our best CB this season, clearly dominant, had a quiet game on Sunday, but was no obvious glaring issue, not the fastest but not the slowest, has been consistent for majority so far.

Seems very reactionary, also had Evans playing next to him as the LCB who looked out of his depth in that position.

Ugarte showed a passing range on Sunday, by spreading the ball to the wingback, particularly Amad that lead to his blocked shot late on.

He is no Pirlo I grant you but don't think he is any worse than Fred that we have had, clearly showed the bite and steel since ETH was sacked, as Sunday showed he allowed Casemiro to play that role and covered for his deficiancies.

Zirkzee couldn't agree more sent him to Juventus with Motta, his shot summed up his United Career.

I do like your list of targets though, problem is the majority will cost a fortune as they are prem players meaning teams will demand a huge fee.
 
MCDC said:
Could I ask why you do not rate De Ligt?

I think he has been our best CB this season, clearly dominant, had a quiet game on Sunday, but was no obvious glaring issue, not the fastest but not the slowest, has been consistent for majority so far.

Seems very reactionary, also had Evans playing next to him as the LCB who looked out of his depth in that position.

Ugarte showed a passing range on Sunday, by spreading the ball to the wingback, particularly Amad that lead to his blocked shot late on.

He is no Pirlo I grant you but don't think he is any worse than Fred that we have had, clearly showed the bite and steel since ETH was sacked, as Sunday showed he allowed Casemiro to play that role and covered for his deficiancies.

Zirkzee couldn't agree more sent him to Juventus with Motta, his shot summed up his United Career.

I do like your list of targets though, problem is the majority will cost a fortune as they are prem players meaning teams will demand a huge fee.
Click to expand...

No real problem with De Ligt. In terms of performance I would rate him more as a 6/10 but marked him lower overall as I think we could have picked up a similar level player on a much cheaper total package.
Has he really improved the team significantly? Is he much better than Maguire or Lindelof??
I was probably harsh listing him as a 'sell' though tbh as he is a good squad option particularly with Maguire and Lindelof both leaving at the end of the season.

Agree on the potential buy options. The majority would be expensive and we would only be able to afford probably 3 per season of that type of player but we should be looking to do that as well as bringing in 2 or 3 raw talents before other PL teams get them. We should also be bringing 2 or 3 youth players through each season. This would be a sustainable model.
Whoever we buy they need to be fast, strong, fit, athletic, and have a good mentality. We need players who are hungry and want to win!.
At the minute we are being out ran by nearly every team in the league. That just isn't acceptable.
We do have the basis of a good squad. If we can move out the slow / older players and bring more energy into the squad we should be in a decent place with having a strong coach who will get the best out of them.
 
Indigofink said:
No real problem with De Ligt. In terms of performance I would rate him more as a 6/10 but marked him lower overall as I think we could have picked up a similar level player on a much cheaper total package.
Has he really improved the team significantly? Is he much better than Maguire or Lindelof??
I was probably harsh listing him as a 'sell' though tbh as he is a good squad option particularly with Maguire and Lindelof both leaving at the end of the season.

Agree on the potential buy options. The majority would be expensive and we would only be able to afford probably 3 per season of that type of player but we should be looking to do that as well as bringing in 2 or 3 raw talents before other PL teams get them. We should also be bringing 2 or 3 youth players through each season. This would be a sustainable model.
Whoever we buy they need to be fast, strong, fit, athletic, and have a good mentality. We need players who are hungry and want to win!.
At the minute we are being out ran by nearly every team in the league. That just isn't acceptable.
We do have the basis of a good squad. If we can move out the slow / older players and bring more energy into the squad we should be in a decent place with having a strong coach who will get the best out of them.
Click to expand...
For me I see De Ligt as a huge upgrade on both.

I think he is a huge upgrade technically and physically, he isn't a VVD who is going to out sprint opponents or like Rio, I see him as someone who will out muscle and look to use his physically to dominate, he isn't awful in the channel.

I do see him as a leader, in the centre of a 3 I think he will be fine.

Yeah we probably need 5/6 of those types of players this summer, who are strong and fast, while also being able to dominate the ball, finding them in the budget is the tricky part.

Be interesting to see if there are any shock outgoings that look to fund the rebuild, we will see how serious INEOS are with the players they let go.
 
My working assumption is that Amorim sees the current Sporting squad, which he crafted for four years, as essentially his fully realised vision when it comes to playing style and player profiles. Don't get me wrong - he has had other types of players and variances to his system over the years, especially in the attacking positions such as Paulinho effectively being a second striker. I think we'll see some of these experiments this season while Amorim works out how each player can be most helpful. I also think he'll do his utmost to improve and involve everyone rather than have outcasts. For instance, I really don't believe in Zirkzee's ability to star in this United side but it makes sense to get something decent out of him in order to raise his value in order to sell him for a decent fee to buy someone better.

I want to go through each Sporting player in the first team squad, according to Transfermarkt, and see which players could fit in this profile so that hopefully Amorim ends up with a higher quality iteration of his final squad in Portugal that he assembled with less money. I'll give a sense for the start of next season but also a developed version for 3 years time.

Goalkeepers:

Franco Israel - First choice, athletic, good passer
2025 - Andre Onana has settled and already made a mark on Amorim
2028 - At 32 by the start of the 28 season, there's no reason Onana cannot still be our first choice

Vladan Kovacevic - Solid second choice, expected to play more matches than most number 2 keepers
2025 - Altay Bayindir fits the mould currently, I think
2028 - I really like Elyh Harrison and hope he develops to challenge Onana following a few good loans. Otherwise, sign someone to refresh the backup keeper position.

Diego Callai - I don't really get this role. He had rave reviews in the B team last season but doesn't seem to have played at all this year. A promising 20 year old as third choice keeper not playing games doesn't make sense in my head.
2025 - Scott Carson is 3rd choice keeper for City and is older than Tom Heaton so I'm hoping Heaton renews for another season
2028 - I like the profile of an older academy graduate as third choice. Maybe it'll be Sam Johnstone's turn by then.

Diogo Pinto - This year's B team keeper playing in the Portuguese division. We don't have a reserve team playing at an equivalent level so no need for a fourth choice.

Centre Backs:

Zeno Debast - First choice right sided centre back, good passer and skillful
2025 - I hope Leny Yoro beds in this season and quite quickly establishes himself as the man for this role
2028 - Still Yoro, surely. The Madrid move can come when he's like 30 ;)

Goncalo Inacio - First choice left sided centre back, excellent at playing the ball from defence
2025 - I have faith in Lisandro Martinez and his ability to thrive in this position. My only worry is his fitness.
2028 - While Jarrad Branthwaite is a good prospect and seems nailed on for us, I don't see him as a priority for the Summer. By 2028, maybe he's here and has displaced Martinez (but he can equally play the middle role)

Ousmane Diomande - First choice 'central' centre back, towering, commanding, good passer
2025 - He wasn't great on Sunday but I believe Matthijs de Ligt is good enough in this role
2028 - Diomande himself would seem a good bet but my guess is that MDL will do enough to keep his place and not need upgrading upon

Eduardo Quaresma - Second choice right centre back, super committed and energetic
2025 - I suspect this role could go to Noussair Mazraoui. He has the benefit of versatility and Amorim praised his football intelligence.
2028 - Still Mazraoui at 30 years old unless a youngster usurps him

Matheus Reis - Second choice left centre back, converted from left back role
2025 - Luke Shaw fits the bill. His fitness is shocking but he has a lot of quality, especially as backup to Martinez. Let's be honest - we couldn't sell him for any real fee and he's contracted to 2027.
2028 - As I said, I can see Martinez as second choice (probably in a similar vein to Shaw now) by this point with Branthwaite first choice.

Jerry St. Juste - Second choice central centre back, also plays on the right, lightning quick but injury prone
2025 - While nowhere near as quick as St. Juste, I really think Amorim will take to Harry Maguire and, if we can do it reasonably cheaply, it makes more sense to renew his contract for another year or two than going to the market for a backup centre back when we have greater needs elsewhere IMHO
2028 - Up for grabs. Maybe one of Kingdon, Kukonki or Armer by then.

Ivan Fresneda - Utility player with potential, has played right centre back or as a wing back on either side
2025 - Honestly, given the fact that Shaw, Martinez and increasingly Maguire are injury prone, I'd be tempted to renew Lindelof's contract, if fairly cheap
2028 - Up for grabs. Maybe one of Kingdon, Kukonki or Armer by then.

Wing Backs:

Geovany Quenda - First choice right wing back, converted winger, left footed, technically gifted, tactically mature and nimble, possible generational talent
2025 - I like Quenda a lot and tend to feel Amad Diallo is better in the number 10 role but, in terms of priorities, I'm not sure Quenda is needed. Diallo to lock down the role.
2028 - Diallo still.

Nuno Santos - First choice left wing back, converted winger, left footed, incredibly tenacious but limited, currently out with a serious injury
2025 - This is maybe priority 1 in the transfer market. Alphonso Davies is an obvious pick but I suspect Rayan Ait-Nouri, Milos Kerkez or Patrick Dorgu are more realistic options.
2028 - Whoever we sign as first choice

Geny Catamo - Second choice right wing back, currently first choice left wing back while Santos is injured, left footed, quick and technical
2025 - None really needed at the moment while Dalot and Mazraoui are around
2028 - Bendito Mantato seems primed for this spot

Maxi Araujo - Second choice left wing back, versatile, decent dribbler, left footed, also can play left inside forward
2025 - This might be mad but I feel Alejandro Garnacho can be this sort of player - rotating between the LWB and the inside foward roles
2028 - I think Garnacho will be more seasoned and better in link up play so can become mainly a left inside forward while Harry Amass will step up to challenge the first choice left wing back after a good loan somewhere

Ricardo Esgaio - Utility right wing back, can also fill in at centre back, steady but not spectacular, right footed
2025 - Diogo Dalot might've been poor so far this season but he's a good character and we've seen the quality he possesses. Keep him around a bit longer while the professionalism within the squad evolves.
2028 - Jaydan Kamason has something about him and could fulfill this role, though it seems unfair for him to be essentially third choice right wing back when he's 20

Central Midfielders:

Morten Hjulmand - First choice defensive midfielder, Amorim calls him more complete than Ugarte, all rounder
2025 - We need someone for this role with Casemiro and Eriksen likely to leave. Hjulmand himself is an option but he'd be expensive and is apparently an Arsenal fan! Some alternatives could be Angelo Stiller, Hugo Larssson, Richard Rios, Ederson or Joao Gomes.
2028 - The ideal for me would be for us to sign smartly this Summer for someone who is a bit of a hidden gem (like Rios, I guess) and that they fill the role until one of our very talented young central midfielders break through like Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Jim Thwaites, Jayce Fitzgerald etc.

Hidemasa Morita - First choice central midfielder, defensively sound, the 'brain' of the team, hard working
2025 - This is Kobbie Mainoo, I hope. He does need to develop more physicality, I reckon, but had the intelligence to play this role. Love him.
2028 - Same again.

Daniel Braganca - Rotation central midfielder, can play deeper or the one slightly further forward, good at keeping the ball and creative
2025 - Different profile but I'm having Manuel Ugarte in this backup spot. It's great to have a specialist DM in the squad and he's very needed in some games but appears too limited on the ball to be a long term starter for United.
2028 - One of the youngsters (I'm favouring Jack Fletcher) or the player we sign this Summer as a more complete defensive minded midfielder than Ugarte.

Inside Forwards:

Trincao - First choice right sided inside forward, left footed, very tricky and great at exploiting spaces, developing well as a goalscorer
2025 - I don't see a like-for-like player fulfilling this role next season but Mason Mount, Amad, Fernandes and Garnacho can rotate here while we get this sorted
2028 - We should sign someone this coming Summer to develop into the starter (see under Edwards below)

Pedro Goncalves - First choice left sides inside forward, right footed, a better dribbling version of Bruno Fernandes IMHO but less good at long range passing, scores lots of goals
2025 - Bruno Fernandes is the man here. Didn't look comfortable on Sunday but I can't see any reason he won't adapt.
2028 - Alejandro Garnacho needs to improve his link up play and decision making but I think he can do this role long term, maybe after a spell at left wing back

Marcus Edwards - Second choice right inside forward, very tricky and pacey, left footed, more of a winger than Trincao
2025 - I'd bring in a gifted left or two-footed young AM like Chris Rigg, Franco Mastantuono or Sverre Nypan with a view to them being first choice in a couple of years
2028 - The hope is that Shea Lacey or James Scanlon emerge as second choice then while the youngster we sign moves to first choice

Strikers:

Victor Gyokeres - First choice striker, strong and quick, runs the channels, goal machine
2025 - I am still a bit sceptical, perhaps stupidly, but Gyokeres does seem the best candidate for this role. Rasmus Hojlund is too raw, as is Sesko. Boniface's injury history concerns me. There's not many other options.
2028: Either Gyokeres or Hojlund, depending on how Hojlund develops

Conrad Harder - Second choice striker, similar profile to Gyokeres, very well rounded, doing very well for his age
2025 - Rasmus Hojlund
2028 - Let Gyokeres, Hojlund and Chido Obi-Martin fight it out for these striker roles

So...

2025/2026 squad -
GK: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton
RCD: Yoro, Mazraoui, Lindelof
LCD: Martinez, Shaw
CD: de Ligt, Maguire
RWB: Amad, Dalot
LWB: Ait-Nouri, Garnacho
CM: Rios, Mainoo, Ugarte, (Kone, Fletcher)
RAM: Mount, Rigg
LAM: Fernandes
ST: Gyokeres, Hojlund, (Obi)

2028/2029 squad -
GK: Onana, Harrison, Johnstone
RCD: Yoro, Mazraoui
LCD: Branthwaite, Martinez, Armer
CD: de Ligt, Kukonki
RWB: Amad, Mantato
LWB: Ait-Nouri, Amass
CM: Mainoo, Fletcher, Rios, Kone
RAM: Rigg, Lacey
LAM: Garnacho, (Ibragimov)
ST: Gyokeres, Obi
 
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SparkedIntoLife said:
My working assumption is that Amorim sees the current Sporting squad, which he crafted for four years, as essentially his fully realised vision when it comes to playing style and player profiles. Don't get me wrong - he has had other types of players and variances to his system over the years, especially in the attacking positions such as Paulinho effectively being a second striker. I think we'll see some of these experiments this season while Amorim works out how each player can be most helpful. I also think he'll do his utmost to improve and involve everyone rather than have outcasts. For instance, I really don't believe in Zirkzee's ability to star in this United side but it makes sense to get something decent out of him in order to raise his value in order to sell him for a decent fee to buy someone better.

I want to go through each Sporting player in the first team squad, according to Transfermarkt, and see which players could fit in this profile so that hopefully Amorim ends up with a higher quality iteration of his final squad in Portugal that he assembled with less money. I'll give a sense for the start of next season but also a developed version for 3 years time.

Goalkeepers:

Franco Israel - First choice, athletic, good passer
2025 - Andre Onana has settled and already made a mark on Amorim
2028 - At 32 by the start of the 28 season, there's no reason Onana cannot still be our first choice

Vladan Kovacevic - Solid second choice, expected to play more matches than most number 2 keepers
2025 - Altay Bayindir fits the mould currently, I think
2028 - I really like Elyh Harrison and hope he develops to challenge Onana following a few good loans. Otherwise, sign someone to refresh the backup keeper position.

Diego Callai - I don't really get this role. He had rave reviews in the B team last season but doesn't seem to have played at all this year. A promising 20 year old as third choice keeper not playing games doesn't make sense in my head.
2025 - Scott Carson is 3rd choice keeper for City and is older than Tom Heaton so I'm hoping Heaton renews for another season
2028 - I like the profile of an older academy graduate as third choice. Maybe it'll be Sam Johnstone's turn by then.

Diogo Pinto - This year's B team keeper playing in the Portuguese division. We don't have a reserve team playing at an equivalent level so no need for a fourth choice.

Centre Backs:

Zeno Debast - First choice right sided centre back, good passer and skillful
2025 - I hope Leny Yoro beds in this season and quite quickly establishes himself as the man for this role
2028 - Still Yoro, surely. The Madrid move can come when he's like 30 ;)

Goncalo Inacio - First choice left sided centre back, excellent at playing the ball from defence
2025 - I have faith in Lisandro Martinez and his ability to thrive in this position. My only worry is his fitness.
2028 - While Jarrad Branthwaite is a good prospect and seems nailed on for us, I don't see him as a priority for the Summer. By 2028, maybe he's here and has displaced Martinez (but he can equally play the middle role)

Ousmane Diomande - First choice 'central' centre back, towering, commanding, good passer
2025 - He wasn't great on Sunday but I believe Matthijs de Ligt is good enough in this role
2028 - Diomande himself would seem a good bet but my guess is that MDL will do enough to keep his place and not need upgrading upon

Eduardo Quaresma - Second choice right centre back, super committed and energetic
2025 - I suspect this role could go to Noussair Mazraoui. He has the benefit of versatility and Amorim praised his football intelligence.
2028 - Still Mazraoui at 30 years old unless a youngster usurps him

Matheus Reis - Second choice left centre back, converted from left back role
2025 - Luke Shaw fits the bill. His fitness is shocking but he has a lot of quality, especially as backup to Martinez. Let's be honest - we couldn't sell him for any real fee and he's contracted to 2027.
2028 - As I said, I can see Martinez as second choice (probably in a similar vein to Shaw now) by this point with Branthwaite first choice.

Jerry St. Juste - Second choice central centre back, also plays on the right, lightning quick but injury prone
2025 - While nowhere near as quick as St. Juste, I really think Amorim will take to Harry Maguire and, if we can do it reasonably cheaply, it makes more sense to renew his contract for another year or two than going to the market for a backup centre back when we have greater needs elsewhere IMHO
2028 - Up for grabs. Maybe one of Kingdon, Kukonki or Armer by then.

Ivan Fresneda - Utility player with potential, has played right centre back or as a wing back on either side
2025 - Honestly, given the fact that Shaw, Martinez and increasingly Maguire are injury prone, I'd be tempted to renew Lindelof's contract, if fairly cheap
2028 - Up for grabs. Maybe one of Kingdon, Kukonki or Armer by then.

Wing Backs:

Geovany Quenda - First choice right wing back, converted winger, left footed, technically gifted, tactically mature and nimble, possible generational talent
2025 - I like Quenda a lot and tend to feel Amad Diallo is better in the number 10 role but, in terms of priorities, I'm not sure Quenda is needed. Diallo to lock down the role.
2028 - Diallo still.

Nuno Santos - First choice left wing back, converted winger, left footed, incredibly tenacious but limited, currently out with a serious injury
2025 - This is maybe priority 1 in the transfer market. Alphonso Davies is an obvious pick but I suspect Rayan Ait-Nouri, Milos Kerkez or Patrick Dorgu are more realistic options.
2028 - Whoever we sign as first choice

Geny Catamo - Second choice right wing back, currently first choice left wing back while Santos is injured, left footed, quick and technical
2025 - None really needed at the moment while Dalot and Mazraoui are around
2028 - Bendito Mantato seems primed for this spot

Maxi Araujo - Second choice left wing back, versatile, decent dribbler, left footed, also can play left inside forward
2025 - This might be mad but I feel Alejandro Garnacho can be this sort of player - rotating between the LWB and the inside foward roles
2028 - I think Garnacho will be more seasoned and better in link up play so can become mainly a left inside forward while Harry Amass will step up to challenge the first choice left wing back after a good loan somewhere

Ricardo Esgaio - Utility right wing back, can also fill in at centre back, steady but not spectacular, right footed
2025 - Diogo Dalot might've been poor so far this season but he's a good character and we've seen the quality he possesses. Keep him around a bit longer while the professionalism within the squad evolves.
2028 - Jaydan Kamason has something about him and could fulfill this role, though it seems unfair for him to be essentially third choice right wing back when he's 20

Central Midfielders:

Morten Hjulmand - First choice defensive midfielder, Amorim calls him more complete than Ugarte, all rounder
2025 - We need someone for this role with Casemiro and Eriksen likely to leave. Hjulmand himself is an option but he'd be expensive and is apparently an Arsenal fan! Some alternatives could be Angelo Stiller, Hugo Larssson, Richard Rios, Ederson or Joao Gomes.
2028 - The ideal for me would be for us to sign smartly this Summer for someone who is a bit of a hidden gem (like Rios, I guess) and that they fill the role until one of our very talented young central midfielders break through like Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Jim Thwaites, Jayce Fitzgerald etc.

Hidemasa Morita - First choice central midfielder, defensively sound, the 'brain' of the team, hard working
2025 - This is Kobbie Mainoo, I hope. He does need to develop more physicality, I reckon, but had the intelligence to play this role. Love him.
2028 - Same again.

Daniel Braganca - Rotation central midfielder, can play deeper or the one slightly further forward, good at keeping the ball and creative
2025 - Different profile but I'm having Manuel Ugarte in this backup spot. It's great to have a specialist DM in the squad and he's very needed in some games but appears too limited on the ball to be a long term starter for United.
2028 - One of the youngsters (I'm favouring Jack Fletcher) or the player we sign this Summer as a more complete defensive minded midfielder than Ugarte.

Inside Forwards:

Trincao - First choice right sided inside forward, left footed, very tricky and great at exploiting spaces, developing well as a goalscorer
2025 - I don't see a like-for-like player fulfilling this role next season but Mason Mount, Amad, Fernandes and Garnacho can rotate here while we get this sorted
2028 - We should sign someone this coming Summer to develop into the starter (see under Edwards below)

Pedro Goncalves - First choice left sides inside forward, right footed, a better dribbling version of Bruno Fernandes IMHO but less good at long range passing, scores lots of goals
2025 - Bruno Fernandes is the man here. Didn't look comfortable on Sunday but I can't see any reason he won't adapt.
2028 - Alejandro Garnacho needs to improve his link up play and decision making but I think he can do this role long term, maybe after a spell at left wing back

Marcus Edwards - Second choice right inside forward, very tricky and pacey, left footed, more of a winger than Trincao
2025 - I'd bring in a gifted left or two-footed young AM like Chris Rigg, Franco Mastantuono or Sverre Nypan with a view to them being first choice in a couple of years
2028 - The hope is that Shea Lacey or James Scanlon emerge as second choice then while the youngster we sign moves to first choice

Strikers:

Victor Gyokeres - First choice striker, strong and quick, runs the channels, goal machine
2025 - I am still a bit sceptical, perhaps stupidly, but Gyokeres does seem the best candidate for this role. Rasmus Hojlund is too raw, as is Sesko. Boniface's injury history concerns me. There's not many other options.
2028: Either Gyokeres or Hojlund, depending on how Hojlund develops

Conrad Harder - Second choice striker, similar profile to Gyokeres, very well rounded, doing very well for his age
2025 - Rasmus Hojlund
2028 - Let Gyokeres, Hojlund and Chido Obi-Martin fight it out for these striker roles

So...

2025/2026 squad -
GK: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton
RCD: Yoro, Mazraoui, Lindelof
LCD: Martinez, Shaw
CD: de Ligt, Maguire
RWB: Amad, Dalot
LWB: Ait-Nouri, Garnacho
CM: Rios, Mainoo, Ugarte, (Kone, Fletcher)
RAM: Mount, Rigg
LAM: Fernandes
ST: Gyokeres, Hojlund, (Obi)

2028/2029 squad -
GK: Onana, Harrison, Johnstone
RCD: Yoro, Mazraoui
LCD: Branthwaite, Martinez, Armer
CD: de Ligt, Kukonki
RWB: Amad, Mantato
LWB: Ait-Nouri, Amass
CM: Mainoo, Fletcher, Rios, Kone
RAM: Rigg, Lacey
LAM: Garnacho, (Ibragimov)
ST: Gyokeres, Obi
Click to expand...
Very solid post with a very good insight into Amorim’s Last squad at Sporting. I’ve seen numerous ridiculous statements on other media saying only 3 United players would get in their starting 11 and that’s Onana, Mazraoui and Bruno. The same social media threads were saying maybe 6 to 7 players would get in the sporting squad.

The truth is our squad is nowhere near as bad as their current league position shows and some players are nowhere near as good as we sometimes hyperbole over.

I think we need to invest, sell, release in the next two windows to try and get to a point where the age of the squad is 2/3 years lower and the squad is a nailed on Top 4/5. That means we need to achieve 70-78 points as an absolute minimum. You have to win 65% of your PL matches which is 24 wins. The media is pushing the normal, United have got no money, they won’t do any deals in January whilst at the same time stating Amorim wants 1 CB’s, 1 Left wing Back, 2 CM’s, 1 CFW and 1 R10/inside Striker.

That’s 6 new players over 2 windows, the days of 22 to 23 man squads are long over and Ruben will soon realise due to PL intensity you need 26 man squad to play in PL, domestic cups and European competition as 4 or 5 are always injured.

We will need some free transfers to get 6 new players in by August 2025. To really move the needle we need to go get our first or second option and not fourth or fifth in every position.

Position; Option 1. Option 2
Left Centre Back J Branthwaite G Inacio
Left Wing Back. A Davies. T Hernandez
CM/DLP/ BTB. Ederson. A Gomes
AM/10/8. C Rigg. S Nypan
L10/SS. Kvaratskhelia. M Cunha
CFW. V Gyokeres V Osimhen

The bold players are who I think we might buy, simply because two would be free in the summer and the other four might cost £210-220m or £120m net after the club probably sell M Rashford, J Zirkzee, Antony, Lindelof, Mallacia.
The club will let go of Eriksen , Evan’s. I think we’ll keep Casemiro as no one’s paying £25-30m and £350k per week wages.

Luke Shaw is not going anywhere either as his wages are too high and he will become back up at left CB and LWB

2025/26 Squad
GK - Onana, Bayinder, T Heaton
RCB - L Yoro, N Mazraoui
CLB - M De Ligt, H Maguire
LCB - J Branthwaite, L Martinez
RWB - Amad/D Dalot,
LWB - A Davies/L Shaw
DM - M Ugarte/Casemiro/ Kone
CM - K Mainoo/A Gomes / J Fletcher
R10 - Bruno/ C Rigg/ S Lacey
L10 - M Cunha/A Garnaucho
CF - V Gyokeres, R Hojlund, C Obi Martin

This squad finishes top 4.
 
Woziak said:
2025/26 Squad
GK - Onana, Bayinder, T Heaton
RCB - L Yoro, N Mazraoui
CLB - M De Ligt, H Maguire
LCB - J Branthwaite, L Martinez
RWB - Amad/D Dalot,
LWB - A Davies/L Shaw
DM - M Ugarte/Casemiro/ Kone
CM - K Mainoo/A Gomes / J Fletcher
R10 - Bruno/ C Rigg/ S Lacey
L10 - M Cunha/A Garnaucho
CF - V Gyokeres, R Hojlund, C Obi Martin

This squad finishes top 4.
Click to expand...

I like it and it seems realistic. It's easy for us to get very down on our players but I think people hoping for a huge churn will be disappointed. The ideal is that Amorim gets the best out of our players. There's a few I've given up on (Zirkzee already, Rashford to name two) but I don't think the squad situation is as dire as the media portray.
 
Our next signings have to be immediate starters to improve us.

LWB/RWB depending on where Mazraoui plays when Yoro is fit
LCB to compete with Martinez
CDM and CM to replace Eriksen and Casemiro
2 x players that can play in one of the number 10 positions and replace Rashford and Antony in the squad.
Striker like Gyokeres or Ohsimen who comes to start. Hojlund can play every 3 games or off the bench.
 
What do we not need would be easier to answer. It feels like we still need new players in every position with a focus on pace, work-rate, and composure on the ball. Because the current team suffers in my opinion the most against fast and intense pressing teams and let's be honest that is pretty much every team in the world right now.
 
SparkedIntoLife said:
I like it and it seems realistic. It's easy for us to get very down on our players but I think people hoping for a huge churn will be disappointed. The ideal is that Amorim gets the best out of our players. There's a few I've given up on (Zirkzee already, Rashford to name two) but I don't think the squad situation is as dire as the media portray.
Click to expand...
Totally agree and all of the names being mentioned are ridiculous we need homegrown and emerging European talent.

Buying J Branthwaite, Chris Rigg and Angel Gomes for probably a combined fee of £75-80m since Angel will be free ticks the homegrown quota.

Being very clear about selling Marcus who just doesn’t look happy, we need him to find form so we can get PSG to pay £60-70m this will go down as 100% profit plus if Mason Can find form like last night we should keep, Eriksen will leave with Lindelof and Malacia Casemiro just won’t go.

We should have £100m plus £25m for Sancho which would give us £240-250m this summer if we get the right money for Rashford, Antony and Zirkzee.

Buying Alphonso Davies(signing on fee 10m) or T Hernandez(40m) then being clear and decisive about our two main targets which should be only players that like the two left back options offer a huge upgrade, we can get Mateus Cunha for £55m, he’s PL proven, Brazilian which suits a Portuguese manager and captain and he just perfect as number 10 or 9 plus he will have to compete with Mason Mount/Bruno/Garnaucho/Amad for the two ten roles. I do see Amad developing as right sided wing back, I mentioned ages ago that Amorim loves two left footed wing backs and he also likes a left footed number 10.

We need a guaranteed experienced number 9 Aged 26-27, there are two obvious all round quick strong Centre Forwards in their prime, V Gyokeres and V Osimhen and one has an incredible relationship with our coach, simple make him our priority in July, Pay the £66-70m he’s available for.

We can definitely add to our squad the following ; J Branthwaite, C Rigg, A Gomes, A Davies or T Hernandez, M Cunha and V Gyokeres.

The club have just posted 11% drop in wages this year and we would lose ; Lindeof(120k), C Eriksen (170k), M Rashford (325k), Antony(200k), J Zirkzee(110k), Sancho(275k) huge saving of £1.2m per week assuming we pay Branthwaite(165k), C Rigg(60k), A Gomes(120k), A Davies or Hernandez (240k), M Cunha (165k), V Gyokeres (250k)

That’s a huge upgrade and £10m per year saving.

Now if INEOS get this right we would have two teams that look like this and a third emerging team of real talent;

Option 1 - A Onnana, N Mazraoui(RCB)
J Branthwaite(CBP), L Shaw(LCB) I think Amorim will prefer him to Martinez and I think MDL will be used as rotation. The end game here is Leny Yoro to develop into the Elite Central Centre Back and Branthwaite go to the left side with M Nazraoui at Right CB.

Amad(RWB), Ugarte(DM), Bruno(8), A Davies (LWB)

M Mount(R10), V Gyokeres(9), M Cunha(L10)

Option 2 - A Bayinder(GK), L Yoro(RCB), MDL(CBP), L Martinez(LCB),

D Dalot(RWB), Casemiro(DM), K Mainoo(8), H Amass(LWB)

C Rigg(R10), R Hojlund(9), Garnaucho(L10)

Option 3 - T Heaton(GK), H Ogunneye(RCB), H Maguire(CBP), G Kukonki(LCB),

E Ennis or J Scanlon(RWB), S Kone(DM),
J Fletcher(8), B Mantato(LWB),

S Lacey(R10), E Wheatley or C Obi Martin(9), G Biancheri or A Ibragimov(L10)

The future of our youth is incredibly bright we’ve got 2 or 3 gems from the under 16’s that will soon make their way up.
 
Last edited:
Woziak said:
Totally agree and all of the names being mentioned are ridiculous we need homegrown and emerging European talent.

Buying J Branthwaite, Chris Rigg and Angel Gomes for probably a combined fee of £75-80m since Angel will be free ticks the homegrown quota.

Being very clear about selling Marcus who just doesn’t look happy, we need him to find form so we can get PSG to pay £60-70m this will go down as 100% profit plus if Mason Can find form like last night we should keep, Eriksen will leave with Lindelof and Malacia Casemiro just won’t go.

We should have £100m plus £25m for Sancho which would give us £240-250m this summer if we get the right money for Rashford, Antony and Zirkzee.

Buying Alphonso Davies(signing on fee 10m) or T Hernandez(40m) then being clear and decisive about our two main targets which should be only players that like the two left back options offer a huge upgrade, we can get Mateus Cunha for £55m, he’s PL proven, Brazilian which suits a Portuguese manager and captain and he just perfect as number 10 or 9 plus he will have to compete with Mason Mount/Bruno/Garnaucho/Amad for the two ten roles. I do see Amad developing as right sided wing back, I mentioned ages ago that Amorim loves two left footed wing backs and he also likes a left footed number 10.

We need a guaranteed experienced number 9 Aged 26-27, there are two obvious all round quick strong Centre Forwards in their prime, V Gyokeres and V Osimhen and one has an incredible relationship with our coach, simple make him our priority in July, Pay the £66-70m he’s available for.

We can definitely add to our squad the following ; J Branthwaite, C Rigg, A Gomes, A Davies or T Hernandez, M Cunha and V Gyokeres.

The club have just posted 11% drop in wages this year and we would lose ; Lindeof(120k), C Eriksen (170k), M Rashford (325k), Antony(200k), J Zirkzee(110k), Sancho(275k) huge saving of £1.2m per week assuming we pay Branthwaite(165k), C Rigg(60k), A Gomes(120k), A Davies or Hernandez (240k), M Cunha (165k), V Gyokeres (250k)

That’s a huge upgrade and £10m per year saving.

Now if INEOS get this right we would have two teams that look like this and a third emerging team of real talent;

Option 1 - A Onnana, N Mazraoui(RCB)
J Branthwaite(CBP), L Shaw(LCB) I think Amorim will prefer him to Martinez and I think MDL will be used as rotation. The end game here is Leny Yoro to develop into the Elite Central Centre Back and Branthwaite go to the left side with M Nazraoui at Right CB.

Amad(RWB), Ugarte(DM), Bruno(8), A Davies (LWB)

M Mount(R10), V Gyokeres(9), M Cunha(L10)

Option 2 - A Bayinder(GK), L Yoro(RCB), MDL(CBP), L Martinez(LCB),

D Dalot(RWB), Casemiro(DM), K Mainoo(8), H Amass(LWB)

C Rigg(R10), R Hojlund(9), Garnaucho(L10)

Option 3 - T Heaton(GK), H Ogunneye(RCB), H Maguire(CBP), G Kukonki(LCB),

E Ennis or J Scanlon(RWB), S Kone(DM),
J Fletcher(8), B Mantato(LWB),

S Lacey(R10), E Wheatley or C Obi Martin(9), G Biancheri or A Ibragimov(L10)

The future of our youth is incredibly bright we’ve got 2 or 3 gems from the under 16’s that will soon make their way up.
Click to expand...
Can I ask a question?

What is this obsession with Branthwaite being a better CB than Martinez?

He makes more mistakes, his build up play is no where near the same level as Martinez, the only thing in his favour is his pace and physical presence, but so was Chris Smalling.

MDL is more than adequate as the CCB, leader, dominant in the air, is more than technical enough to play Amorims system, just seems to be cast aside as he’s viewed as a ETH signing not a club one.

Would Ait Nouri not be a better shout at LWB? Potential £40-50 million as got 1 year left with an option to extend. 24 in the summer, huge creative outlet, prem proven and would also be on lower wages than both Davies & Hernandez.

What about Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt? 25 year old, 2 years left on his contract, has 15 goals and 11 assists. Valued at €40 euros according to transfermarkt.
 
Fernandez from Benfica in January please, can't see how we can get a better LB for that price and he's from the academy.

Would love to see us sign Cunha from Wolves for our LW. Neither Garnacho or Rashford are good enough and he's one of the best forwards in the league not at a top side.
 
MCDC said:
Can I ask a question?

What is this obsession with Branthwaite being a better CB than Martinez?

He makes more mistakes, his build up play is no where near the same level as Martinez, the only thing in his favour is his pace and physical presence, but so was Chris Smalling.

MDL is more than adequate as the CCB, leader, dominant in the air, is more than technical enough to play Amorims system, just seems to be cast aside as he’s viewed as a ETH signing not a club one.

Would Ait Nouri not be a better shout at LWB? Potential £40-50 million as got 1 year left with an option to extend. 24 in the summer, huge creative outlet, prem proven and would also be on lower wages than both Davies & Hernandez.

What about Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt? 25 year old, 2 years left on his contract, has 15 goals and 11 assists. Valued at €40 euros according to transfermarkt.
Click to expand...
I think if we sell Maguire and Rashford we will have a homegrown issue, we lost AWB, McTominay all homegrown and need at least 8 in a squad of 25/26. Omar Marmoush would be a great signing but only in addition to Gyokeres not instead. He can play as one of the 10’s no doubt and I genuinely think Alphonso Davies is gettable and his ceiling is better than Alt Nouri, he has genuine world class ability, truly elite pace and talent.

We need elite players, absolute world class talent to move the needle, if we sold Garnaucho and Rashford, and signed kvaratskhelia with Marmoush, I would consider that a huge upgrade but we have the homegrown problem, selling Dalot and replacing him Jeremie Frimpong would make sense as frimpong qualifies as Homegrown.



Squad Proposal (25/26)
Goal keepers (3) : A Onana, A Bayinder,
T Heaton(HG)
Defenders(6) L Yoro, M De Ligt, N Mazraoui,
J Branthwaite or H Maguire(HG),
L Shaw(HG), L Martinez
Wing Backs(4) A Dialo, D Dalot, * A Davies,
T Mallacia
Midfielders (5) : C Rigg(HG), K Mainoo(HG),
*A Gomes(HG), M Ugarte, *Ederson
Number 10’s/SS (4) M Mount(HG),
B Fernandes, *O Marmoush, *kvaratshkelia
Main Striker: (3): *V Gyokeres(HG?), R Hojlund, J Zirkzee

With your proposal we either have to keep
H Maguire, certainly an option, promote a 16 year old who is currently interesting Amorim or go buy J Branthwaite, Chris Rigg and Angel Gomes just to make up the 8 player homegrown quota and that’s if Gyokeres is HG qualified?

We need confirmation if Gyokeres 3 years at Brighton when he joined at just 18 may also qualify him as a homegrown player in EPL, if so watch his price go up by £10-15m. If not we will have to sell Dalot and find the best homegrown option or keep two of Garnaucho, Rashford, Maguire and Mount.

This is why Rashford, Maguire, Shaw, Mount or Garnaucho all going in same window is a huge problem for the club. It just won’t happen. Even in this squad, an amalgamation of both our ideas, assumes we have the best Transfer window on record; Sell Garnaucho, Rashford, Casemiro, Eriksen,
V Lindelof and Antony for £140m combined, then add £125m to that and spend £265m on C Rigg(25m), A Gomes(Free),
A Davies (Free/10m SO)
O Mamoush(40m), Ederson(45m),
V Gyokeres(70m), K Kvaratshkelia(75m).

Those players move the needle back to a Top3/4 squad but MDL, L Martinez and H Maguire lack of pace in a back 3 is hugely worrying.
 
Last edited:
Woziak said:
I think if we sell Maguire and Rashford we will have a homegrown issue, we lost AWB, McTominay all homegrown and need at least 8 in a squad of 25/26. Omar Marmoush would be a great signing but only in addition to Gyokeres not instead. He can play as one of the 10’s no doubt and I genuinely think Alphonso Davies is gettable and his ceiling is better than Alt Nouri, he has genuine world class ability, truly elite pace and talent.

We need elite players, absolute world class talent to move the needle, if we sold Garnaucho and Rashford, and signed kvaratskhelia with Marmoush, I would consider that a huge upgrade but we have the homegrown problem, selling Dalot and replacing him Jeremie Frimpong would make sense as frimpong qualifies as Homegrown.



Squad Proposal (25/26)
Goal keepers (3) : A Onana, A Bayinder,
T Heaton(HG)
Defenders(6) L Yoro, M De Ligt, N Mazraoui,
J Branthwaite or H Maguire(HG),
L Shaw(HG), L Martinez
Wing Backs(4) A Dialo, D Dalot, * A Davies,
T Mallacia
Midfielders (5) : C Rigg(HG), K Mainoo(HG),
*A Gomes(HG), M Ugarte, *Ederson
Number 10’s/SS (4) M Mount(HG),
B Fernandes, *O Marmoush, *kvaratshkelia
Main Striker: (3): *V Gyokeres(HG?), R Hojlund, J Zirkzee

With your proposal we either have to keep
H Maguire, certainly an option, promote a 16 year old who is currently interesting Amorim or go buy J Branthwaite, Chris Rigg and Angel Gomes just to make up the 8 player homegrown quota and that’s if Gyokeres is HG qualified?

We need confirmation if Gyokeres 3 years at Brighton when he joined at just 18 may also qualify him as a homegrown player in EPL, if so watch his price go up by £10-15m. If not we will have to sell Dalot and find the best homegrown option or keep two of Garnaucho, Rashford, Maguire and Mount.

This is why Rashford, Maguire, Shaw, Mount or Garnaucho all going in same window is a huge problem for the club. It just won’t happen. Even in this squad, an amalgamation of both our ideas, assumes we have the best Transfer window on record; Sell Garnaucho, Rashford, Casemiro, Eriksen,
V Lindelof and Antony for £140m combined, then add £125m to that and spend £265m on C Rigg(25m), A Gomes(Free),
A Davies (Free/10m SO)
O Mamoush(40m), Ederson(45m),
V Gyokeres(70m), K Kvaratshkelia(75m).

Those players move the needle back to a Top3/4 squad but MDL, L Martinez and H Maguire lack of pace in a back 3 is hugely worrying.
Click to expand...

We don't need to spend big money on any defender unless it's a left back. We have the most clean sheets in the premier league but are among the lowest scoring sides, if you want a cheap defender whose also homegrown then sign Fernandez from Benfica. We have a buyback clause and he's from our academy.

Signing Gomes is a decent idea given his ability/homegrown status. We could hopefully sell Mount too.

I'd much rather see us promote Amir or Toby/Gore than sign Rigg. We have high quality players in the academy.

In no world are we signing Marmoush for 40m, Liverpool have already been quoted 60m.

Signing another striker is a waste of money when we have two of the lowest performing wide players in the premier league in Rashford/Garnacho. Gyokeres is currently playing with the statistically the two highest performing creative players in all of portugal, it's the equivalent of Ras having Saka/Son on the wings, instead he's in the bottom 10% of passes received for all strikers because Rashford/Garnacho are borderline championship quality.

Personally I'd rather Cunha from Wolves to play in the narrow 3-4-3. He's superb and at 25 still a great age.
 
FlawlessVictory88 said:
We don't need to spend big money on any defender unless it's a left back. We have the most clean sheets in the premier league but are among the lowest scoring sides, if you want a cheap defender whose also homegrown then sign Fernandez from Benfica. We have a buyback clause and he's from our academy.

Signing Gomes is a decent idea given his ability/homegrown status. We could hopefully sell Mount too.

I'd much rather see us promote Amir or Toby/Gore than sign Rigg. We have high quality players in the academy.

In no world are we signing Marmoush for 40m, Liverpool have already been quoted 60m.

Signing another striker is a waste of money when we have two of the lowest performing wide players in the premier league in Rashford/Garnacho. Gyokeres is currently playing with the statistically the two highest performing creative players in all of portugal, it's the equivalent of Ras having Saka/Son on the wings, instead he's in the bottom 10% of passes received for all strikers because Rashford/Garnacho are borderline championship quality.

Personally I'd rather Cunha from Wolves to play in the narrow 3-4-3. He's superb and at 25 still a great age.
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That’s just the thing Rashford and Garnaucho don’t understand a 3421 system, the width is created by the wing backs or rotating triangular patterns in a fully assimilated Ruben Amorim system, I do agree with you on the CB’s I would not sell Maguire he’ll play to his 35 and be a good pro, added to MDL, Yoro, Martinez, Mazroui, Goodwill Nkonku and Shaw who can all play in that back three and I also think this will end up being Diego Dalot best position going forward if we don’t sell him.

Assuming Evans and Lindelof go, we might go get one more young CB but your right we don’t need one, we do definitely need two wing backs, ideally we’d go get Jeremie Frimpong and Alphonso Davies but there is a multiple of full backs/wing backs like Alt Nouri, M Kerkez, T Hernandez, Currently only Amad Dialo looks good enough to play there.

It’s really no good is speculating right now as we need to see how the next 6 or 7 games unfold, however I completely agree with you over Garnaucho and Rashford if the club could get £100m for both we should sell not because their bad players but more importantly they simply don’t fit Amorim’s system and never will.
 
Minimum 4 players is what we need

We need one center back. I assume minimum one or both of Lindelof and Evans would leave the club as free transfer in summer. With Shaw and Mazz also able to play center back one transfer should be adequate

We need one wingback to compete with Mazz, Dalot, Malacia, Shaw. Ideally someone that is better than all these as a wingback player

We need one center midfield to replace Eriksen in the squad. Ideally this is someone that can fight directly with Mainoo and can also play the defensive game when needed. I do not believe they we would be able to offload Casemiro so we need to use him smart

We need a center forward with goals that can compete with and help the development of Hojlund and Zirkzee, with the later also to be utilized behind the center forward. Both players have a lot of areas to develop yet and all would gain from a proper goal scorer. If possible, this player would replace Rashford in the team as I do not see him fit in the way Amorim wants to play also I believe it is best for all parties especially for Rashfords career to continue somewhere else

So, 4 in 4 out
 
Don't know if we can invest massively newt summer, so we'll need to find cheap and temporary solution.

There are some interesting players free on the market that may be a gamble, but financially, with the FPF, I don't know if we can do way better.

My first team is better than what we have currently, but second team looks poor.

Out : 85M€ approx

Bayindir ==> 5M
Lindelof ==> Our of contract
Maguire ==> Out of contract
Evans ==> Retirement
Eriksen ==> Out of contract
Casemiro ==> 10-15M to Saudi
Rashford ==> 30M
Antony ==> 15M
Zirkzee ==> Loan (cause no one will buy him)
Sancho ==> Definitive transfer 20M

In : 130M

Eric Dier ==> Free and English for the homegrow and would be happy to be the 5th/6th CB
Fabian Schär ==> Free
Alphonso Davies ==> Free big wage nevertheless
Norgaard ==> Free
Angel Gomes ==> Free, homegrown and would fit both 8th and 10th positions
Ederson : 50M
Son : Free big wage nevertheless
Gyokeres : 80M

--------------------------------------------------Onana-------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------Yoro-----------De Ligt-------------Martinez---------------------------
Amad---------------------------Ederson-------------Mainoo-------------------------------Davies
---------------------------------------Bruno-------------Heung-min Son------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------Gyokeres--------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------Hojlund------------------------------------------------------
-------------------Mount/Angel Gomes----------------------Garnacho----------------------------
Malacia----------------------Noorgaard-------------Ugarte-----------------------------------Dalot
-------------------------------Shaw-----------Eric Dier-------------Fabian Schär--------------------
-----------------------------------------------------GK-------------------------------------------------------------
 
My top list for recruitment in the next transfer window will be as follows:

Malik Tilman (22Y PSV - MC, DMC)
Mikkel Damsgaard (24Y Brentford -FWL)
Tomas Araujo (22Y Benfica - DC)
Alvaro Fernandez (21Y Benfica - DL, DML)
 
vva said:
My top list for recruitment in the next transfer window will be as follows:

Malik Tilman (22Y PSV - MC, DMC)
Mikkel Damsgaard (24Y Brentford -FWL)
Tomas Araujo (22Y Benfica - DC)
Alvaro Fernandez (21Y Benfica - DL, DML)
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Are we aiming to finish 13th?
 
vva said:
My top list for recruitment in the next transfer window will be as follows:

Malik Tilman (22Y PSV - MC, DMC)
Mikkel Damsgaard (24Y Brentford -FWL)
Tomas Araujo (22Y Benfica - DC)
Alvaro Fernandez (21Y Benfica - DL, DML)
Click to expand...

Wrong forum
 
I hope we try to sign a left back in January, does anyone know the specifics of our buyback clause with Benfica and Alvaro? Is it active in January windows or just the summer?

If possible we should 100% exercise this option.
 
I have a feeling we are quite broke given recent INEOS moves so have focused on budget moves.

- If Wolves go down, Rayan Aït-Nouri becomes very feasible. Pick him up for ~ GBP30m.​
​
- Angel Gomes on free - rotation for AM role.​
​
- Hancko - CB Rotation option for GBP25m. We were linked this summer. He can do CB or LCB or maybe even LWB in the odd game.​
​
- Mount drops into CM and rotates with Kobbie. We need to find a budget DM to backup Ugarte (or perhaps Casemiro stays another year).​
​
- Our big signing then is a new AM. To fund it, we may need to sell either or both of Rashford or Garnacho (which would be unfortunate but he doesn't seem to have a strong fit in the new system.)​

We get GBP 25 from Sancho in the summer. We can also try to sell Casemiro, Antony, Shaw but suspect may be difficult.
 
Tallis said:
I have a feeling we are quite broke given recent INEOS moves so have focused on budget moves.

- If Wolves go down, Rayan Aït-Nouri becomes very feasible. Pick him up for ~ GBP30m.​
​
- Angel Gomes on free - rotation for AM role.​
​
- Hancko - CB Rotation option for GBP25m. We were linked this summer. He can do CB or LCB or maybe even LWB in the odd game.​
​
- Mount drops into CM and rotates with Kobbie. We need to find a budget DM to backup Ugarte (or perhaps Casemiro stays another year).​
​
- Our big signing then is a new AM. To fund it, we may need to sell either or both of Rashford or Garnacho (which would be unfortunate but he doesn't seem to have a strong fit in the new system.)​

We get GBP 25 from Sancho in the summer. We can also try to sell Casemiro, Antony, Shaw but suspect may be difficult.
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Hancko and Aït-Nouri are good shouts. Gomes I liked before we appointed Amorim, but I doubt he'd suit this system.

As for DM I like Gourna-Douath, plays for Salzburg which means he is used to the RB pressing system. Maybe Vivell can do clever business there.

For the new AM, Lee Kang In (PSG) or Millot (Stuttgart) are interesting. Maybe also Pedro Goncalves. From the PL maybe Cunha, Kudus and Joao Pedro.
 
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