What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

Danillaco said:
Saul for CM
Havertz for AM
Haaland for ST
Sancho would be the dream but not really feasible target.

Get rid of Matic, Rojo, Jones, Mata and Young. Unsure about Pereira, but inclined to let go.
Maybe loan Mensah and Bailly (love him, but can't stay fit)

Pogba getting back from injury, finaly, and staying fit. Greenwood ready to be permanent in the rotation.

Dalot keeping Aaron on his toes and giving a conservative option for RW, as well emergency solution for LB.
Williams at LB and Shaw giving his last shot at proving capable at United.
At CB we have Maguire and one from Lindelof, Tuazebe and Smalling returning from a very sucessful loan at Roma with high morale.

And get youth in every cup game.

We could be something.
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I know that he is isn't a considered a star name but what would people think to signing Fraser, yes I know that Liverpool looked the front runners for him a few weeks ago but that was before all the Miramino stuff. Personally I think he would be quite an astute signing and he looks a real workhorse in the wide areas.
 
That time of the year again!
It feels like we'll have a busy winter which may be interesting, although not holding my breath.

Between the winter window and summer, I'd like to see who improve
CB
LB
CM
AMC
RW
ST

6 Targets is always hard, but doable, although some positions are more important than others.

ST: Haaland seems the likely candidate right now. Not seen enough of him to be convinced by anything personally, but if the rumoured release clause of 20m is true, this becomes a no brainer. If he does cost anymore, we've just got to trust what we'd spend on him would be worth it. The thoughts of spending 80m on him is a bit worrying considering where he's playing right now

Kane would be my first choice, but the money involved probably makes this a non starter.
The other striker I'd be really interested in, is Martinez from Inter, but they're having a very good season so far, so probably makes a summer move hard to do.

RW: Sancho seems the obvious choice. Big money for a big talent. Potentially competition from the likes of Chelsea and others. Would be a great signing if we could pull it off.

Bergwijn would be a good option to look at. Would be a lot cheaper than Sancho and has shown a lot of potential.
Can't really think of any others if I'm honest.
James has done very well for us since joining though, so as of right now, I do see other positions a bit more of a priority.

AMC: Havertz would be the one that would get me most excited. Seen a few games and snippets here and there and he looks the business and at such a young age.

Maddison is another option. I think the Leicester demands would make other choices a better piece of business though. Grealish would be a cheaper alternative here and has shown he's comfortable in this league.
Ziyech with his release clause would make him a very good signing for very good money in this market

Zainalo (Albeit only heard about him) seems to be highly spoken of and Olmo would also be a cheaper alternative while adding depth to the squad, so worth a mention.

CM: With the progression of McTominay and Fred hopefully starting to find his feet, it definitely eases the pressure here, but if theirs a player I'd like to see here, and it's the one person from Leicester I'd want to see, it's Ndidi. Having him shielding our defence would help let the rest of our midfield play, knowing he'd be there to protect them.

Saul would be a great signing, also has a buyout, so isn't beyond reach, but still, it feels like it'd be hard to pull off
Allan would be an excellent choice from Napoli, but he'll turn 29 in Jan and they'd want a good amount of money for him probably puts this one on the back burner.
Doucoure is another name to mention. Watford are struggling this season, and could be picked up for a great price in the summer, depending where they end up.

CB: We're stacked here, so might not be a 'priority', you could make easy arguments to move on Bailly, Rojo, Jones and Smalling. It's a position we're stacked in, but lacks quality.

Names to throw in the hat for me are: Ruben Dias, Romagnoli, Milenkovic, Ake, Upamecano and a special mention to our very own Tuanzebe

LB: Shaw has frustrated ever since coming here. Hard to rely on him, and with Wan Bissaka looking so good on the right, it highlights the problems on the left.
Telles for me is a very creative option and from what I remember, unless he's signed a new contract, has a reasonable buyout clause.
Chillwell is another good option, but would cost probably double that of Telles.

LB isn't that much of a priority though.

TL;DR

De Gea
Romero

Bissaka - Dias - Maguire - Shaw
Dalot - Lindelof - Tuanzebe - Williams

McTom - Ndidi
Fred - Garner

Sancho - Havertz - Rashford
Greenwood - Lingard - James

Martial
Haaland
​
Henderson on loan once more. Hopefully Gomes will sign a contract but looks unlikely right now. I've chosen Lingard over Andreas as it would seem more likely he'd leave over Jesse. Matic to be moved on also.
As much as I'd love Pogba to be in that line up, he wants to leave and at this point I'd let him go. If he didn't want to leave, I'd honestly still be dubious with him as he just doesn't always turn up.

These 5 signings may cost a lot, I've added cheaper alternatives, but what a side that would be! Just lacks some real experience.
 
Cannot help thinking a creative midfield signing in January is a must, we need to take the pressure off Pogba but also have concerns if his head is really in it.

It's ok having someone in the box like Haaland to finish the chances but still need someone behind him to create those.
 
Haaland and CM in January would be great for the rest of the season.

Summer signings more dependant on if Pogba stays. If he stays then CM and RW and if not then a CAM as well.

Also get Smalling back to the team for next season. He is an experienced CB who is good in the air.

Sell: Andreas, Alexis, Mata, Matic, Jones/Baily.
 
It's not a never ending story anymore. That's what happens when managers actually sign well. We've made 3 good signings who all solved problem areas of the team.

3 more and we'll be in decent shape.

Forward
AM
CM

Moyes, LVG and Jose made squad building look almost impossible wasting nearly a billion pounds in the process.

All it actually takes is half a dozen carefully chosen signings and the development of a few talented kids. Fingers crossed by this summer we'll have got it done.
 
bucky said:
Hope you are right regarding Fabian. Still hoping on Elvedi, if I'm honest as update on Lindelof.
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I had to look Elvedi up as I've not really seen Gladbach this season, with a club like that he might be gettable as they have never sold super high before. What type of CB is he?
 
SteveW said:
It's not a never ending story anymore. That's what happens when managers actually sign well. We've made 3 good signings who all solved problem areas of the team.

3 more and we'll be in decent shape.

Forward
AM
CM

Moyes, LVG and Jose made squad building look almost impossible wasting nearly a billion pounds in the process.

All it actually takes is half a dozen carefully chosen signings and the development of a few talented kids. Fingers crossed by this summer we'll have got it done.
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This is spot on.
 
Devil may care said:
I had to look Elvedi up as I've not really seen Gladbach this season, with a club like that he might be gettable as they have never sold super high before. What type of CB is he?
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His best attribute is his passing IMO. In recent seasons I thought he needed to improve in regard to aerial duels, but he has done that this season. I think he's better in every way compared to Lindelof, while being younger.

You should check out Gladbach, they play some good football and Rose is doing excellent work there.
 
We need a better midfield. Fred, Andreas and McTominay doesnt cut it.

We should atleast get one ASAP. Saul is a good shout, he would instantly make is better.

Since Ole likes to play 4-2-3-1 we should be after a no. 10 aswell.

Eventually we need a top striker aswell. Martial aint good enough. And our only right winger is James.. Defence is ok, but we could upgrade Shaw.
 
I think we need a DM that's either a deep lying playmaker or has good ball progression or both. Our playing out from the back is shit. We hardly look like we have a plan going forward when our defense is with the ball.
 
Most of the players in our team are not suited to play the type of football that will bring us success, if this is competing for the EPL title or at far into the ECL playoffs. Having a team that can only create chances through counter-attacks or by coincidence against a low block team will not get us back to the top.
  • Our goalkeeper is not the best with his feet and uncomfortable outside his own box --> Not a "sweeper keeper".
  • Our two starting central defenders are slow, and playing with a high press and high defensive line is risky.
  • Our two starting fullbacks can't attack.
  • Our two starting central midfielders are not good on the ball or able to retain possession. (PP does not count as he got the same "illness/injury" as Coutinho had for Liverpool )
  • Our starting attacking players are very dependent on space to be able to do something.
I really struggle to see how a team that is only able to perform in counter-attacking situations can be competitive over a season in the EPL today. And most of our players are only suited to this type of football, which makes it difficult to see how this rebuild is going to work...
 
Hopefully, we can get the following:

1) A partner for Maguire since Smalling is not going to be considered. Lindelof will always be the weak link in that defense.

2) A left-back to replace Shaw. Backed him all this time, but need to replace him now and have Williams as a backup.

3) 2 creative central midfielders

4) Another winger. Hopefully, a right-footed winger.

5) A striker to replace Martial. Martial has the talent to be world class, but looks like the desire is simply not there. We need a striker who gives it 100% all the time and not when it suits him.


We have 2 transfer windows to get this right in time for next season.
 
Fosu-Mens said:
Most of the players in our team are not suited to play the type of football that will bring us success, if this is competing for the EPL title or at far into the ECL playoffs. Having a team that can only create chances through counter-attacks or by coincidence against a low block team will not get us back to the top.
  • Our goalkeeper is not the best with his feet and uncomfortable outside his own box --> Not a "sweeper keeper".
  • Our two starting central defenders are slow, and playing with a high press and high defensive line is risky.
  • Our two starting fullbacks can't attack.
  • Our two starting central midfielders are not good on the ball or able to retain possession. (PP does not count as he got the same "illness/injury" as Coutinho had for Liverpool )
  • Our starting attacking players are very dependent on space to be able to do something.
I really struggle to see how a team that is only able to perform in counter-attacking situations can be competitive over a season in the EPL today. And most of our players are only suited to this type of football, which makes it difficult to see how this rebuild is going to work...
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Exactly this. Ive been saying/wondering this for months. If a new manager comes in he is fkd. We will have to go through the 'oh we need new players for that system' yet again!
 
If United wants to be "biggest club in the world" than it needs the best players. Players like Mesi, Mbappe, Mane, Salah, Kane, DeBruyne, Aguero...
United do not have a single player of this level. Yes Pogba has the talent, but it uses his talent few times per year.

Available top player now is L.Martinez. But probably Barcelona will get him and "the biggest club in the world" will fight with Leipzig for some possible talent. Even second tier players like Olmo are impossible to get for United.
 
pmgeorge said:
If United wants to be "biggest club in the world" than it needs the best players. Players like Mesi, Mbappe, Mane, Salah, Kane, DeBruyne, Aguero...
United do not have a single player of this level. Yes Pogba has the talent, but it uses his talent few times per year.

Available top player now is L.Martinez. But probably Barcelona will get him and "the biggest club in the world" will fight with Leipzig for some possible talent. Even second tier players like Olmo are impossible to get for United.
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Salah/Mane weren’t regarded as top tier talent when purchased.

You could say the same of a lot of players at big clubs who have blossomed.
 
1) Pogba is leaving. CM like Saul is a must.
2) No creativity in the team. AM like Havertz
3) Sancho for RW. No proper RW for past few years.
4) LB. Shaw is always injured.
5) CDM like Partey
6) CB. Lindelof is not good enough.
 
Fosu-Mens said:
Most of the players in our team are not suited to play the type of football that will bring us success, if this is competing for the EPL title or at far into the ECL playoffs. Having a team that can only create chances through counter-attacks or by coincidence against a low block team will not get us back to the top.
  • Our goalkeeper is not the best with his feet and uncomfortable outside his own box --> Not a "sweeper keeper".
  • Our two starting central defenders are slow, and playing with a high press and high defensive line is risky.
  • Our two starting fullbacks can't attack.
  • Our two starting central midfielders are not good on the ball or able to retain possession. (PP does not count as he got the same "illness/injury" as Coutinho had for Liverpool )
  • Our starting attacking players are very dependent on space to be able to do something.
I really struggle to see how a team that is only able to perform in counter-attacking situations can be competitive over a season in the EPL today. And most of our players are only suited to this type of football, which makes it difficult to see how this rebuild is going to work...
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I think the simplest way to look at this is how would a manager like Guardiola look at our squad if he took over:

He'd want to sign a striker who can score against teams sitting back. Martial doesn't really show signs of becoming one but Pep might think he can reach him. Greenwood is young but would be fine as 2nd striker. So, he'd probably want a 9 who is an actual threat from crosses and back to goal. That's signing 1.

He'd probably be happy with the wingers in that I think he'd be fine with Martial or Greenwood becoming one full time and Rashford and James are fast and talented. Maybe we sign a left-footed winger in year 2. Chong an outside option for that role.

Pogba is sort of similar to Gundogan so let's make him one of our starting CMs. Gomes could get promoted to be his backup since Lingard plays a through ball every 6 months or so at best. Fred and McTominay aren't natural DMs but they're fairly mobile and McTominay has shown some composure on the ball, I could see them getting proper chances to earn the starting #6 job. Neither could play as a #8 in his system that well though McTominay would maybe be alright as a fill in there. We would badly need another #8 to start alongside Pogba, that's Signing #2 and since Pogba and that guy can't play every game let's add Signing #3 as his backup, with maybe one of those 2 capable of playing out wide like a Bernardo Silva to give the team a 4th winger.

Wan-Bissaka would be a good Kyle Walker type CB/RB hybrid and Dalot is a useful prospect as a RWB who's sort of vaguely similar stylistically to Mendy at LWB (though all potential whereas Mendy when healthy is the real deal as a crosser there). Williams also a potential option here.

Left-back, I guess Shaw or Williams could be the backup to Signing #4.

At CB, I could see Pep being happy with Maguire and Lindelof battling to be #2 CB with Maguire the better aerial option and Lindelof the better passer and thinker. We would need a CB who can play a high line and pass the ball though, so that's Signing #5. Tuanzebe can be CB#4.

De Gea isn't brilliant with his feet but I don't think he's Joe Hart. If Pep was really mad he could get swapped for a slightly worse keeper with more composure on the ball in about an hour of negotiations, so I'm still not worried about this position. Romero would probably move along but again, he could get swapped or sold and a replacement brought in easily enough I think.

So, 5 signings away if Dalot or Williams and Gomes can become proper contributors. Maybe Martial or De Gea get swapped but that wouldn't necessarily cost us money to replace.
 
SteveW said:
It's not a never ending story anymore. That's what happens when managers actually sign well. We've made 3 good signings who all solved problem areas of the team.

3 more and we'll be in decent shape.

Forward
AM
CM

Moyes, LVG and Jose made squad building look almost impossible wasting nearly a billion pounds in the process.

All it actually takes is half a dozen carefully chosen signings and the development of a few talented kids. Fingers crossed by this summer we'll have got it done.
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We don't have a CDM or DLP man. Or is that the CM you're referring to? I also think Shaw needs replacing badly but he's part of the 'second wave' for me.
 
1. at least average manager

2. create some football system

3. bring at least one CM and one DM because our midfield without Pogba is Championship level at best

4. bring 2-3 ofensive players so we have at least some possibilites

5. problem solved


P. S. Maybe my number 1 would be to sold Lindelof, but I believe that at least average manager would put him on the bench in a minute so it is fine like this.
 
UpWithRivers said:
Exactly this. Ive been saying/wondering this for months. If a new manager comes in he is fkd. We will have to go through the 'oh we need new players for that system' yet again!
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I have been saying this since JM came in.
NoPace said:
I think the simplest way to look at this is how would a manager like Guardiola look at our squad if he took over:

He'd want to sign a striker who can score against teams sitting back. Martial doesn't really show signs of becoming one but Pep might think he can reach him. Greenwood is young but would be fine as 2nd striker. So, he'd probably want a 9 who is an actual threat from crosses and back to goal. That's signing 1.

He'd probably be happy with the wingers in that I think he'd be fine with Martial or Greenwood becoming one full time and Rashford and James are fast and talented. Maybe we sign a left-footed winger in year 2. Chong an outside option for that role.

Pogba is sort of similar to Gundogan so let's make him one of our starting CMs. Gomes could get promoted to be his backup since Lingard plays a through ball every 6 months or so at best. Fred and McTominay aren't natural DMs but they're fairly mobile and McTominay has shown some composure on the ball, I could see them getting proper chances to earn the starting #6 job. Neither could play as a #8 in his system that well though McTominay would maybe be alright as a fill in there. We would badly need another #8 to start alongside Pogba, that's Signing #2 and since Pogba and that guy can't play every game let's add Signing #3 as his backup, with maybe one of those 2 capable of playing out wide like a Bernardo Silva to give the team a 4th winger.

Wan-Bissaka would be a good Kyle Walker type CB/RB hybrid and Dalot is a useful prospect as a RWB who's sort of vaguely similar stylistically to Mendy at LWB (though all potential whereas Mendy when healthy is the real deal as a crosser there). Williams also a potential option here.

Left-back, I guess Shaw or Williams could be the backup to Signing #4.

At CB, I could see Pep being happy with Maguire and Lindelof battling to be #2 CB with Maguire the better aerial option and Lindelof the better passer and thinker. We would need a CB who can play a high line and pass the ball though, so that's Signing #5. Tuanzebe can be CB#4.

De Gea isn't brilliant with his feet but I don't think he's Joe Hart. If Pep was really mad he could get swapped for a slightly worse keeper with more composure on the ball in about an hour of negotiations, so I'm still not worried about this position. Romero would probably move along but again, he could get swapped or sold and a replacement brought in easily enough I think.

So, 5 signings away if Dalot or Williams and Gomes can become proper contributors. Maybe Martial or De Gea get swapped but that wouldn't necessarily cost us money to replace.
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For the summer window, I think 5 signings suited to play a more technical and possession-oriented football is what we should aim for. Same as what should have been the outcome of the previous summer window. Having a large majority of the players in the squad not suited to play a certain type of football (that you need 7-8 of the 11 players suited to the attacking style and minimum 9 of the 11 suited to the off possession scheme to make it work.) makes it difficult to employ a non-counter attacking style of play. Not that this should be an excuse for OGS regarding our pragmatic playstyle since he decided to increase the % of a certain type of players.
 
If we made 5 x signings this summer, good ones, we'd be a strong top 3 contender next season, maybe top 2. But I don't see us spending more than £80m plus sales, so 3 x signings maximum would be my bet this summer (as usual, recently).

In order of priority;

Summer 2020
CDM
RW
Pogba replacement (#10/CAM)

Summer 2021
New starting LB
New starting CB
CM

I also think we need a new striker this summer coming but I don't see Ole feeling the same way.
 
We have 2 phases of this rebuild still to go.

In the first phase bring in 2 central midfielders, an attacking midfielder and a striker.

Sell/Retire/Release Pogba, Matic, Jones, Young, Mata, Grant, TFM, Gomes, Smalling, Sanchez.

Squad

de Gea, Romero, Henderson
AWB, Dalot, Laird, Maguire, Lindelof, Axel, Rojo, Bailly, Shaw, Williams
Fred, McTominay, CM, CM, Pereira, Lingard, Garner, AM
Greenwood, Rashford, Martial, James, ST

In the second phase bring in a left back, centre back, right winger and attacking midfielder.

Sell Shaw, Rojo, Bailly, Lingard, Pereira.

Squad

de Gea, Romero, Henderson
AWB, Dalot, Laird, CB, Maguire, Lindelof, Axel, LB, Williams
CM, CM, Fred, McTominay, Garner, AM, AM
RW, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial, James, ST
 
Baneofthegame said:
Salah/Mane weren’t regarded as top tier talent when purchased.

You could say the same of a lot of players at big clubs who have blossomed.
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The point stands: not a single world class player in United team. Big clubs allways go for the best player/ best talent. Now it is even inconceivable for United to go after a player like Neymar, Hazard.
 
pmgeorge said:
The point stands: not a single world class player in United team. Big clubs allways go for the best player/ best talent. Now it is even inconceivable for United to go after a player like Neymar, Hazard.
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What club outside Barca/Real would want Neymar?

My point is that buying big names doesn’t always equate to success, we are an example of this with Pogba, you can buy the best, but they need other equivalent players around them.
 
I wanted Pogba gone because he brings too much controversy and we could cash in on him to reinforce our squad but if it turns out nobody wants to spend money on him and he ends up staying then we do need to support him and get better players.

First thing we should do is go get a deep lying playmaker and go back to 4-3-3. Pogba's best role is LCM. Mcctominay's best role is RCM and both players including Ole have said it themselves. What a deep lying playmaker would do is reduce carry the burden of creativity with Pogba. We depended too much on Pogba creating for us last season

I remember the trio of Pogba Herrera and Matic. The Caf was always on about replacing Neves with Matic because Matic was the weak link and Neves could also offer something creatively. The hole Herrera left has been filled by Mcctominay but the DM role still needs a DLP.

Kalvin Phillips has to be the no.1 target. He's very good defensively and is a terrific passer of the ball. He's creativity can help in situations where Pogba is marked out or off form. He and Mcctominay can also be the workhorses in midfield while Pogba roams free.
 
Boubakary Soumare would potentially be a fantastic signing for around £30m and i'm hoping we can sign him as the box to box #8 in our team. A real powerhouse who can also play the ball at a very good level and looks to be a very well rounded player that will contribute to both attack and defense.

Florentino Luis from Benfica as the deep lying playmaker would be brilliant. Excellent on the ball and his tackling ability is just immense. Florentino along with Soumare and Pogba would be a very balanced midfield that would provide creativity and bite in abundance.

Add Jadon Sancho and I'd be content with our business for the summer. But i'm hoping we make a concerted effort to sign Soumare in January.
 
DDG
Bissaka Konaté Maguire Shaw
Fabian
Aouar. Pogba
Sancho Martial Rashford

DDG
Bissaka Konaté Maguire Shaw
Saul Pogba
Sancho Havertz Rashford
Martial​
 
Henderson
AWB - Maguire - Tuanzebe - Williams
McTominay - Pogba
Sancho - Grealish - Rashford
Haaland

back-up team

DDG
Laird - Smalling - Lindelof - Dalot
James - Fred - Garner - Sanchez(sadly)
Greenwood - Martial

Still need a CM too but I've no idea who.
 
jamesjimmybyrondean said:
I wanted Pogba gone because he brings too much controversy and we could cash in on him to reinforce our squad but if it turns out nobody wants to spend money on him and he ends up staying then we do need to support him and get better players.

First thing we should do is go get a deep lying playmaker and go back to 4-3-3. Pogba's best role is LCM. Mcctominay's best role is RCM and both players including Ole have said it themselves. What a deep lying playmaker would do is reduce carry the burden of creativity with Pogba. We depended too much on Pogba creating for us last season

I remember the trio of Pogba Herrera and Matic. The Caf was always on about replacing Neves with Matic because Matic was the weak link and Neves could also offer something creatively. The hole Herrera left has been filled by Mcctominay but the DM role still needs a DLP.

Kalvin Phillips has to be the no.1 target. He's very good defensively and is a terrific passer of the ball. He's creativity can help in situations where Pogba is marked out or off form. He and Mcctominay can also be the workhorses in midfield while Pogba roams free.
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The CAF’s expectations on signings have dropped so much. How is Kalvin Phillips going to massively improve our squad?

He’s playing in the Championship for a reason. It’s not like he’s a teenager either. He’s 24.

He’s also Leeds through and through so I highly doubt Manchester United would be a club he would want to join if other offers were on the table.
 
2 world class midfielder,s to pay with Pogba, mct and Fred are very average players who are back up level and need upgrading.
A 20+ goals a year striker to replace Lukaku.
A world class and creative number 10 - our current number 10,s mata pierra and lingard are sub standard in that role.
 
It’s truly insane that after spending so much money United still has to buy 8 players according to their supporters. What a waste of money the last years have been.
 
Most top teams take time to develop naturally, and just bringing in 'top' players, does not necessarily mean that the assembled team will automatically become a top class team. Under SAF, he built teams that understood what he wanted, and if we were lacking in a particular area, he what buy the best player in that position who fitted in with the team. It may be that Ericsson, Havertz and Soumare don't fit into the team that Ole wants to create, but perhaps Odegaard and Sancho do. We can all speculate on the 'best' player in each position within the team, but whether they will be best for the team is a moot point. We certainly need to upgrade in several positions, and hopefully in January. Haaland is obviously one that we are after, but we do need possibly three in total, to give us a chance of top four, but will they be available in January, who knows.
 
Lindelof has to be replaced ASAP. He’s been United player for 2,5 seasons, so it is safe to judge him. He is a good ball playing CB, but not for EPL unfortunately. Too soft and error prone.
 
I think we'd be crazy to spend huge money on Haaland. Our attackers are erratic but there is a lot of potential there. We really need to bolster the midfield.
 
jem said:
I think we'd be crazy to spend huge money on Haaland. Our attackers are erratic but there is a lot of potential there. We really need to bolster the midfield.
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Emre Can and a CB should be doable in January. Hope Haaland really has that clause.
 
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