Sancho and a proactive, quick CB should be nailed on. If Pogba goes, we need another creative man in midfield. Think about how Fred, McTominay, Matic and VdB fit and look for a DM if possible. Replace De Gea with Henderson and promote Laird to the first team squad to give AWB competition.
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
Do you think him & Kounde is possible
If Sevilla are firm on his release clause then I'd say no. I'm not convinced we'd go for someone of his stature but you never know. Sancho alone will cost £75/80m, so I can see us going for Milenkovic or another defender that will cost sub £40/50m. Those two signings are huge though and have to happen if we want to progress.
Yeah I see us going for a CB signing around that sort of figure if we are still interested in Sancho, however think there is a possibility we go for a Kounde/Konate/Varane and give Amad a chance to make that RW spot his own. In regards to a CDM I am still hoping we sign someone in the mould of Matic but can't see us addressing all three main issues this summer. Could see us still potentially going for a backup RB (experienced) if the right opportunity presents itself for a reasonable fee
Who would people pick? Perhaps someone could start a thread/poll.
Grealish, Sancho, Haaland?
What CBs can we get because that is priority no.1, followed by an attacking player.
Sancho can play left and right.
Grealish can play left or more central like Coutinho. We now have Amad for RW too.
Haaland is one of the best CFs in the world but we have Cavani and Greenwood.
Grealish, Sancho, Haaland?
What CBs can we get because that is priority no.1, followed by an attacking player.
Sancho can play left and right.
Grealish can play left or more central like Coutinho. We now have Amad for RW too.
Haaland is one of the best CFs in the world but we have Cavani and Greenwood.
If we could only make three signings this summer would you prefer CB, CDM & RW but use Williams/Laird as backup RB or CB, CDM & RB (backup) and give Amad that opportunity to make the RW spot his own
I'm hopeful Laird can become part of the squad soon.
As far as the DM position is concerned, I hope we target someone who can play in the double pivot but is the more offensive of the two in midfield. Someone like Bennacer or Neuhaus look to be of the right profile. The last thing we want is another combative type because this team already has McTominay and Fred as the combative midfielders and adding another player with similar attributes won't help a great deal IMO. We should aim to play a more attacking brand of football on the front foot next season and signing a CB with the requisite attributes along with a CB would suffice in the current Covid affected climate.
My ideal 3 would be a CB and 2 CM's in truth.
Presume you mean a CDM & CM/AM then
Yeah, I think Pogba and Matic will both go so I'd like to refresh the double pivot with a DM and a #8 playmaker.
So what would you do about RW in that situation and still don't like this lack of links to any midfielders either
For RW I'd keep playing Mason and blood Diallo in, but I agree the lack of midfielders being linked to us is concerning.
Yeah we haven't really been linked to any apart from Matic & Bruno in the last four years, it makes me think that the journos are still not convinced that Pogba is leaving or Nemanja either. Maybe if they get a sense of that happening then the links may pick up nearer the summer
So, fellow Caftards, none of the defenders we are being linked with seems to be "the one". Who do we go for? Or do we just strengthen other areas and hope to outscore the opponent?
I can't see Pogba not going at this point and given how little Matic has played this season I think he'll want to be off, so we'll need to add 2 to McFred as it's to soon to tell with Garner and I'm dubious that Ole sees Van de Beek as anything but Bruno's back-up in the AM role.
Martial and Pogba are two players that i would sacrifice to complete our work-in-progress. Pogba’s future is always up in the air, so it’s time to turn the page.
Get rid of other big wages in Mata, Lingard, Matic, Jones, Romero, and sell Pereira.
All of those outgoings should be enough to cover for a new cb and cdm.
Then go all out on Grealish and Haaland.
Get rid of other big wages in Mata, Lingard, Matic, Jones, Romero, and sell Pereira.
All of those outgoings should be enough to cover for a new cb and cdm.
Then go all out on Grealish and Haaland.
Being realistic I think we'll try for at least 3 targets. Attacker, CB and midfielder.
Thinking one of Sancho or Grealish for the position up front. Would then give us for the front 4 - Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Bruno, Diallo, James, Mata and new signing.
At the back a pacy CB who is technically competent and not weak in the air to replace Axel who we'll loan out. Leaves us with Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly, new CB and Jones (because we can't get rid).
Midfield is tricky and depends on Pogba. I doubt there's anyone who can afford Pogba's fee except a team like PSG. Fred, McTominay, VDB are the only ones I'm sure will be here next season. If Pogba and Matic stay then we'll either sign Haaland if he's available or a backup RB. We might forego the CM signing. Ole doesn't seem to like a DM so if we do go for it, it'll have to be someone comfortable contributing with attack.
Thinking one of Sancho or Grealish for the position up front. Would then give us for the front 4 - Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Bruno, Diallo, James, Mata and new signing.
At the back a pacy CB who is technically competent and not weak in the air to replace Axel who we'll loan out. Leaves us with Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly, new CB and Jones (because we can't get rid).
Midfield is tricky and depends on Pogba. I doubt there's anyone who can afford Pogba's fee except a team like PSG. Fred, McTominay, VDB are the only ones I'm sure will be here next season. If Pogba and Matic stay then we'll either sign Haaland if he's available or a backup RB. We might forego the CM signing. Ole doesn't seem to like a DM so if we do go for it, it'll have to be someone comfortable contributing with attack.
lot of sense here
Taking my preferences out, I think we are definitely going to buy a CB, I hope the Kounde deal happens but with our board who knows who it'll be. Pogba will go and Matic should but we'll probably let the latter linger another season as I imagine McTominay is viewed as a starter so we'll only get one CM, hopefully as part of selling Pogba to Juve as I don't think Real Madrid will go for him. I think Sancho will happen this summer, he wants to come home to England and we are the strong favourites imo, plus Woodward will get his victory over the dastardly Dortmund by getting him for a lowered fee.
That's not enough to catch City but it should cement our top 4 status.
That's not enough to catch City but it should cement our top 4 status.
2021
Rw
Cb
Cm
Rb?
2022
Dm
CF
I think RW and CB will be buy for sure.
The third signing will probably be replace for Pogba. Dont think Grealish would be that replace for Pogba and i think we will buy him only if we dont buy RW. I think Matic and Cavani will stay for one more year and their positions will be reinforced then. I think its too much to replace Matic and Pogba in one summer.
Maybe will sign a RB for lower prize or for free.
Also i would like to mention some youngstars like Mejbri, Shoretire, Amad who looked very promising.
Rw
Cb
Cm
Rb?
2022
Dm
CF
I think RW and CB will be buy for sure.
The third signing will probably be replace for Pogba. Dont think Grealish would be that replace for Pogba and i think we will buy him only if we dont buy RW. I think Matic and Cavani will stay for one more year and their positions will be reinforced then. I think its too much to replace Matic and Pogba in one summer.
Maybe will sign a RB for lower prize or for free.
Also i would like to mention some youngstars like Mejbri, Shoretire, Amad who looked very promising.
Which CB & RW do you see us signing this summer then, won't ask about CM as quite frankly still not convinced anyone will be able to afford Pogba and would rate a backup RB as fourth priority behind all those mentioned
The GK situation needs to be resolved, hopefully Henderson can make the no. 1 spot his own. Other than that I think we need one defender, one midfielder and one attacker.
AWB, Maguire, Shaw + 1
McT/Fred, Fernandes + 1
Rashford, Greenwood +1
Henderson
AWB - De Ligt - Maguire - Shaw
McT/Fred - Rice/Ndidi
Greenwood - Fernandes - Rashford
Haaland
I think that would be enough to challenge for the title. Would probably cost £200 mill plus selling Pogba though.
AWB, Maguire, Shaw + 1
McT/Fred, Fernandes + 1
Rashford, Greenwood +1
Henderson
AWB - De Ligt - Maguire - Shaw
McT/Fred - Rice/Ndidi
Greenwood - Fernandes - Rashford
Haaland
I think that would be enough to challenge for the title. Would probably cost £200 mill plus selling Pogba though.
We aren't getting Haaland this summer and next year when the clause activates there will be too much competition
Our biggest priorities:
1. CDM that enables us to play our 2 best players Pogba & Bruno. Fred & McTominay doing a one man's job and sticking Pogba in Rashford's best position is never going to win us a title.
2. A top, top striker. Martial is easily our weakest attacking player and Cavani is 34. Let's hope Ole's connection will secure Haaland. This is a higher priority than a RW. We couldn't find one this season and bought 2 talents Amad & Pellistri. Let's give them a chance.
3. A centre-back. I rate Bailly, but he can't be relied upon for a whole season.
Squad:
Romero, Grant, Telles, Bailly, Lindelof, Matic, Fred, McTominay, Cavani.
We have many talented youngsters, let's use 'em. I'm thinking of Laird, Garner, Pellistri, Amad, Shoretire, Hannibal, Hugill.
In:
Haaland 100M
Zakaria 50M
Torres 50M
Out for 100M (perhaps?):
De Gea (Unlikely considering his wages and the fact that we're letting Romero go. One can hope)
Martial
Lingard
James
Van de Beek (I have a feeling he'll give up and want to leave)
Tuanzebe (he desperately needs minutes through a loan if he is to make it here. Let's avoid a Lingard situation)
Mata (contract up)
Williams (not needed at LB and not good enough at RB)
We should know if Henderson, Amad, Pellistri are good enough or if we need an upgrade in those areas the season after.
1. CDM that enables us to play our 2 best players Pogba & Bruno. Fred & McTominay doing a one man's job and sticking Pogba in Rashford's best position is never going to win us a title.
2. A top, top striker. Martial is easily our weakest attacking player and Cavani is 34. Let's hope Ole's connection will secure Haaland. This is a higher priority than a RW. We couldn't find one this season and bought 2 talents Amad & Pellistri. Let's give them a chance.
3. A centre-back. I rate Bailly, but he can't be relied upon for a whole season.
Haaland
Rashford Bruno Greenwood
Zakaria Pogba
Shaw Torres Maguire AWB
Henderson
Rashford Bruno Greenwood
Zakaria Pogba
Shaw Torres Maguire AWB
Henderson
Squad:
Romero, Grant, Telles, Bailly, Lindelof, Matic, Fred, McTominay, Cavani.
We have many talented youngsters, let's use 'em. I'm thinking of Laird, Garner, Pellistri, Amad, Shoretire, Hannibal, Hugill.
In:
Haaland 100M
Zakaria 50M
Torres 50M
Out for 100M (perhaps?):
De Gea (Unlikely considering his wages and the fact that we're letting Romero go. One can hope)
Martial
Lingard
James
Van de Beek (I have a feeling he'll give up and want to leave)
Tuanzebe (he desperately needs minutes through a loan if he is to make it here. Let's avoid a Lingard situation)
Mata (contract up)
Williams (not needed at LB and not good enough at RB)
We should know if Henderson, Amad, Pellistri are good enough or if we need an upgrade in those areas the season after.
If the Athletic story is true then here's the best case scenario......
Somehow I can't see Haaland fancying that McFred supply line.
Somehow I can't see Haaland fancying that McFred supply line.
I’d be happy with that for now. We aren’t as bad in midfield as people make out, we still create lots of chances that go begging. I think a top striker to guarantee goals and a new cb are priorityIf the Athletic story is true then here's the best case scenario......
Somehow I can't see Haaland fancying that McFred supply line.
CB, DM, and RW are all big holes but a new striker has to be the priority. We could sign all of those but without a player that can hit 30+ goals across all comps we won't contend for the major honours.
Surely we need someone creative to supply this striker though
think CB needs to be a priority ... it's incredible how shaky and disjointed we look at the back in almost every single game. Not sure who would be the best fit next to Maguire, but I think we absolutely need to bring one in. Always impressed when I see Tapsoba for Leverkusen, he has all the tools to be a superstar. Badiashile, Milenkovic, Kounde ... no idea. Just address the position.
other than that ... a DM and a striker. I'd love to bring in competition for AWB as well.
other than that ... a DM and a striker. I'd love to bring in competition for AWB as well.
Like a Bruno Fernandes?
We need someone else as well because cannot rely on him to create everything
We are already the top scoring team in the PL though, where we are dropping points is the defense and inability to control games because our midfield is often made up of technically average workhorses.
Makes me so sick that no one at the club can see how negligent only having one DM in the whole squad is, wake up Utd and realise that neither Fred or McTominay are capable of playing that position
The 9-0 win skews that statistic drastically, but more importantly:
So what?
Because we're up 3 goals on city we shouldn't improve our attack?
The majority of our goals are made by Bruno, Rashford and Cavani. Our right wing gives us absolutely nothing in terms of output and our only capable striker is 34. Surely you can see adding another striker or RW will improve us?
Greenwood isn't a finished product and Martial, James, Mata aren't good enough.
I agree the need for a DM is higher than for a striker. But let's not downplay the Martial & RW problem.
Of course a change in formation would also change our needs but I don't rate Ole tactically enough to adapt. We'll be playing 4-2-3-1 every game under his watch, and that's fine by me. It's not the most important aspect of managing (SAF and 4-4-2 come to mind), although I wonder if it's become more important in recent years.
Think we should only go big for a striker and a budget CB if it's Haaland otherwise we should go for a top CB and just look for a cheap striker that can offer Eddy a rest when he needs it. I haven't mentioned CM/DM because reliable sources suggest it's not on the priority list at all
You're assuming people at the club care about having an actual DM
What? We've played 4312, 4231, 41212, and 352 under Ole thus far. Wasnt long ago people were bemoaning the constant formation changes.
A manager with a system, a definite style of play would make our team a lot better.
A Brendan Rodgers would make this squad a lot more competitive with Man City, and as fans, it would be much more exciting for us to watch.
A Brendan Rodgers would make this squad a lot more competitive with Man City, and as fans, it would be much more exciting for us to watch.
With Ole's formation changes I got the feeling he was trying to figure out what "works". Now that he favours 4-2-3-1, he'll stick with it for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, coaches like Tuchel will swap formation game by game to try to win the game. It's something he wants to teach his players how to do.
On a sidenote, one 'cool' thing some of these top managers do is to have multiple formations prepared for one game and you'll see teams switching back and forth during a single half. I think it was the Chelsea City game where this was really obvious. This and his subs is why I don't rate Ole tactically.
It's a strange thing mate but an odd issue we've had since Fergie's latter years, where we just couldn't sort midfield out and seened to view it as afterthought or a position purely for workhorses instead of specialists, despite the fact we had some brilliant midfielders in our best period of success.
I never said the attack couldn't be improved on but at least we have some actual quality options to pick from and some good young prospects, in midfield without Pogba we've got nothing but 2 honest workers who run about a lot and nothing coming through bar Hannibal who might physically be better suited as an AM at senior level. We wont have a single top class CM when Pogba goes and given how this board drags it's feet in getting transfers done it will take us all our time to add a CB and CM nevermind any other positions.