It looks like this summer we’ll hopefully have sorted the following
RW - Sancho
CAM backup - VDB
LB - Reguilon
Next summer I assume we’ll go for the following:
CDM - Zakaria, Rice, etc
CB - it seems like Upamecano would be the first choice with Badiashile the potential second choice.
ST - we’ll need a backup striker for Martial, but I don’t think we’ll spend big, possibly a Josh King or maybe even that young Brugge player Dennis would be a good signing.
True. For LB we know that Shaw is injury prone so getting Reguilon make more sense than buiyng a young CB for the future. Buying an established CB would be expensive and who would that be? Koulibaily is too old for a large outlay.They could hold the fort for the next season like they did the previous one. And next season hopefully we could get our preferred CB target. While sorting out the LB position, which is equally important IMO.
They could hold the fort for the next season like they did the previous one. And next season hopefully we could get our preferred CB target. While sorting out the LB position, which is equally important IMO.
Obviously Thiago will go to Liverpool but if he did come here, would he play in a diamond?
Thiago
VDB Pogba
Bruno
Home against bottom sides? If Thiago isn't here then Matic at the base?
I think we still need a tempo setter, an overused term perhaps but some who can retain the ball and speed up/slow down passages of play, dictate the tempo and help us go through the gears. Bruno is basically operating as a free role/second striker which is great but with his expansive and sometimes expensive pass ratios, not a tempo setter. Same with Pogba etc.
Seems the traditional "6" is no longer something top teams are using. Screens and interceptions but who on the ball, is very composed, can pass, break lines, avoid press and set that tempo etc. Who on earth can do this that we can purchase? Thiago? Tonali? Busquets? Verratti? Very hard to find that type of player.
This would be nice. Been a long time since we had lots of intelligent footballers.We probably need a few more players with brain cells.
Seems the traditional "6" is no longer something top teams are using. Screens and interceptions but who on the ball, is very composed, can pass, break lines, avoid press and set that tempo etc. Who on earth can do this that we can purchase? Thiago? Tonali? Busquets? Verratti? Very hard to find that type of player.
Exactly. Although Goretzka is the " defensive" CM, Thiago is the one being closer to the defence line. Over the years Thiago became exactly the player you described. Thiago is quick, has high workrate, one of the best in recoveries, interceptions, transition game, is pressing resistent, controls the game and takes part in the attacking game.
For me he is the most balanced CM right now.
Thiago played as the deepest CM multiple times for Bayern, especially under Guardiola if I remember correctly.
I always thought Pogba would play this role, but for some reason there is something lacking.
Although Thiago is a nobrainer , I think United has a limited budget. Focus should be on one attacking player and one defender. Just start with 3 out of Matic/VDB/Poga/Bruno.
Sancho with a LB and a CB would be ideal this year. Then bring in a DM next summer.
It is ridiculous but somehow we have millions of CB's but cant rely on any of them. Smalling and Rojo want out and probably will be sold if we can. Bailly, TFM, Rojo, Jones cant be relied upon both because of injury and form. Shaw is not a CB. He can play there sure but hes not really a CB. Mengi etc are young and inexperienced.LB is a higher priority than CB.
United have 7 CBs (8 if we include Shaw). Plus a few demonstrably good youth prospects.
We have 1 LB currently out injured. No youth prospects who're proven.
CBs:
Fit: Maguire, Lindelöf, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo
Injured: Tuanzebe, Jones, Shaw
Youth: Mengi, Fish, Bernard
If I were Woody I'd be fuming that we bought so many CBs but my manager is still unhappy with them. That my manager wants another CB ahead of LB. Even thought we haven't a single left-footed LB fit to start the season with.
Yes, you could be right, but we certainly need a few more additions. It's going to be a long season and injuries will come with the games so close to each other. We need numbers with talent..Only looks like maybe Sancho this sunmer now as talk of Reguilon seems to be fading and doesn't seem any serious interest in Telles.
I have wrote off us signing a CB for this summer after not going for Gabriel and the Upamecano stuff getting quashed.
Why do we feel we need a LB?
Williams was pretty promising till the last few games.. A young kid .. no football or training for a few months.. comes back and gets a bad cut on the face.. is rushed back and has 3-4 shaky games.. hardly enough to write him off..
If there is a great deal, sure.. Should always look to upgrade.. but wasnt on the list before the transfer window.. dont care.
Just please sign someone for the right wing...After that.. either a striker or a starting CB.. Either will do.. neither will do (for now)
Ighalo is leaving midway through the season. Greenwood hasnt played up top much.. Not as a 9. It can wait.Much like your LB comment, why a striker?
Martial assuming starts. Greenwood and Ighalo backups?
VdB is a good buy but Ole needs at least another 4 to 5 players to have a squad that can compete for the PL. Before anyone jumps out on their soapbox I'm not saying this window, but over the next 3; Sancho, a CM, Forward, LB and CB.
Sancho should be done this summer, end of story.
I'd love Thiago this summer but I don't see it happening, so I hope to see us looking at Camavinga or Bruno Guimeras next summer.
If we we get Sancho to add to Martial, Mason and Rashford that would give us 4 for 6 spots as you need 2 for each of the front 3 roles, are James and Chong going to prove good enough? I'd be shocked if both do, so i think we should be monitoring player's like Marcus Thuram, Koman and Adama Traore, I also like Richarlison but I don't see Everton selling any time soon.
If we don't get Reguilon because of the buyback issue I have no problem with that but Telles seems a quality low priced option.
Can Mengi or Axel be the CB to partner Maguire so we don't need to buy Upamecano or Konate etc.....? I'd love to see it but have my doubts.
Good thing there is no fans at football anymore. This window is our worst post Moyes. Why we always stop trying after we make top 4. Infuriating. Feel for Ole
Agree. And then Ole will get all the stick.Can't believe they are fecking over Ole like this. This season will turn sour very quick I suspect
Agree. And then Ole will get all the stick.
He needed 3-4 signings to kick on. They've given him one, with a second in the balance.
And let's be honest the one they have given him isn't a starter. No offence but Donny or anything but if we where only going to buy 1 player we would have been better off buying a guaranteed starter in Sancho.
Not looking forward to this season at all now. Will be excuses for day 1.
Just want I'd like to go into the season where the Owners, The manager and the players didn't have an excuse to not perform. This season we had a chance to do that and seem to be throwing it away.
Probably would tbh, would be a hard pill to swallow but Juve delt with being relegated don't see why we couldn't come back stronger if we had owners who where interested and hired the right people etc.Would you take 1 year in the championship if it guaranteed a change in ownership and governance of the club to someone with football performance and success as the main priority?
Probably would tbh, would be a hard pill to swallow but Juve delt with being relegated don't see why we couldn't come back stronger if we had owners who where interested and hired the right people etc.
Would be interesting to do a poll on this dilemma on the forum.
I feel the same way. No chance the Glazers sell while we are still profitable/being a cash cow. And no chance we are getting back to the top under the current ownership/management.
Presume you mean that get Sancho to go with VDB and then put the shutters down until next summer or did you mean utilising the January window as well because was a little confused. Yeah would be amazing to see Teden or Axel being Maguire's long term CB partner but worry they won't be able to stay fit enough.
Sancho and I see no reason we can't get Telles this summer as well. If we are to give Axel, Mengi, Chong and James a real chance then CB and forward wouldn't be looked at until next summer after they've had a full season of opportunities, and neither of the midfielders I mentioned would be January buys, the only business I see us doing in January is extending Igalho for a few more months.
I know the popular thought is that United's defence is dodgy, and we need a proper CB partner for Maguire, proper option at LB and a DM.
But when you look at last season's table, United only actually conceded 3 goals more than Liverpool, and they have the best defence in the league.
So maybe defence isn't seen as such a pressing priority.
When you look at goals for column, United got 66 (including a lot of penalties) compared to Liverpool's 85 and City's 102..!!
This is where we are majorly behind, and this is why I believe that United prioritized just two positions this window.
A creative MF and a RW.
MF was Grealish, but by a stroke of luck, Donny was available for half the price, so fair play to the board for that signing.
Which just leaves RW and Sancho, and I don't think we ever considered a credible alternative, it's just got to be Sancho.
A full season of Pogba - Bruno & Donny, with Sancho - Greenwood - Rashford & Martial should massively improve on 66 goals scored, and this is a long term group of players with age on their side.
Next summer, we can concentrate on a Defensive players.
