just don't buy into that
What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
I wonder how much better we'd be with 3 or 4 form players from the premier league, who the top clubs arent looking at and arent likely to take us far in europe
Mahrez, Mane and Vardy as obvious examples. No they arent that exciting compared to the top players but they'd make a lot more impact than their counterparts currently at United which would push us up the table.
Together they'd cost less than Lukaku alone
Mahrez, Mane and Vardy as obvious examples. No they arent that exciting compared to the top players but they'd make a lot more impact than their counterparts currently at United which would push us up the table.
Together they'd cost less than Lukaku alone
They would be more exciting but LvG would soon drum that out of them. The players we have are not bad, it's just they have been coached to death.
Having 4 fullbacks injured at once would not leave other sides defenses in a mess? No team carries more cover than that.
I think we need mainly a center back, midfielder, right winger and striker. Also, I hope we can have a big signing (unfortunately some of the best players are impossible to sign).
Who would you prefer in those positions? And which formation do you prefer, 433 or 4231?
Defense. Stones - Laporte - Marquinos - Gimenez - Mustafi
Midfielder. Gundogan - Pogba - Barkley - Pjanic - Tielemans
Right winger. Mane - Mahrez - Sane - Felipe Anderson - Lucas Moura
Striker. Kane - Lukaku - Aubameyang - Pato - Vardy
Big signing. Griezmann - Reus - Bale - Muller - Ronaldo
Who would you prefer in those positions? And which formation do you prefer, 433 or 4231?
Defense. Stones - Laporte - Marquinos - Gimenez - Mustafi
Midfielder. Gundogan - Pogba - Barkley - Pjanic - Tielemans
Right winger. Mane - Mahrez - Sane - Felipe Anderson - Lucas Moura
Striker. Kane - Lukaku - Aubameyang - Pato - Vardy
Big signing. Griezmann - Reus - Bale - Muller - Ronaldo
Wouldn't it be most important to get clarity on who is gonna be in the manager's seat first? For example Ancelotti may want to sign different players than LvG. Similarly, targeted players would prefer to know who's gonna coach them for the next couple of months.
Sign'em all. Let Gaal sort them out.
If you added 5 players to each row, what would it look like?
They are just potential options that could be consider. But the list could be reduced, for example:
Defense. Stones or Laporte
Midfielder. Gundogan or Barkley
Right winger. Mane or Mahrez
Striker. Kane or Lukaku
Big signing. Griezmann or Bale
Stop dreaming of Griezman. He's currently in a club bigger than United in terms of football and it would be a step back for him joining us.
That's where we are now.
I don't think that we'll be able to bring world class player soon, so we better try to make our good players better like Mata, Herrera, Bastian, Darmian, Martial, try to revive this poor Rooney and keep De Gea motivated.
We are all agree that this January window will serve to fix several issues, but also is an opportunity to strengthen the squad. Don't think short terms with the likes of Mahrez or Vardy. If we're in Champions League next year will it be enough to pass the first round ? no
So we've currently some injuries, but few of them are short terms. Soon, we'll be able to have a "strong squad" back.
I won't buy a right back, as Darmian is good enough to be a top defender there. He just needs some games and the trust of the manager to shine again.
Shaw will be back in April, so won't be good until August, I would play Blind here. He played his best games last year in this position.
So I would try to buy a central defender. Two choices, Stones or Laporte. One will be impossible to buy this January, the other has a release clause. Each will cost 40/50M£.... An incredible amount to be honest. Or we can play safe, buy a left footed central defender than can play the two roles and can ease when we're short of defenders with injury prones Jones and Rojo (when Smalling is fit also)...
Do we need a central midfielder ? No we don't. We have defensives ones like Schneiderlin, ball players like Bastian or Carrick, and offensive like Herrera or Fellaini. I think that's not the area we need to add.
I would add for sure a right winger. Few are on sale, but I would try to buy Mané. He's got speed, can play on all front and his used to PL. He would do better than Memphis and Lingard. He's not world class, but we're United, and we're not world class anymore. This guy suits our level, try to be in top four only.
That's where we are now.
I don't think that we'll be able to bring world class player soon, so we better try to make our good players better like Mata, Herrera, Bastian, Darmian, Martial, try to revive this poor Rooney and keep De Gea motivated.
We are all agree that this January window will serve to fix several issues, but also is an opportunity to strengthen the squad. Don't think short terms with the likes of Mahrez or Vardy. If we're in Champions League next year will it be enough to pass the first round ? no
So we've currently some injuries, but few of them are short terms. Soon, we'll be able to have a "strong squad" back.
I won't buy a right back, as Darmian is good enough to be a top defender there. He just needs some games and the trust of the manager to shine again.
Shaw will be back in April, so won't be good until August, I would play Blind here. He played his best games last year in this position.
So I would try to buy a central defender. Two choices, Stones or Laporte. One will be impossible to buy this January, the other has a release clause. Each will cost 40/50M£.... An incredible amount to be honest. Or we can play safe, buy a left footed central defender than can play the two roles and can ease when we're short of defenders with injury prones Jones and Rojo (when Smalling is fit also)...
Do we need a central midfielder ? No we don't. We have defensives ones like Schneiderlin, ball players like Bastian or Carrick, and offensive like Herrera or Fellaini. I think that's not the area we need to add.
I would add for sure a right winger. Few are on sale, but I would try to buy Mané. He's got speed, can play on all front and his used to PL. He would do better than Memphis and Lingard. He's not world class, but we're United, and we're not world class anymore. This guy suits our level, try to be in top four only.
The only problem is the cost would be something in the region of:
Stones £50m
Pogba £100m
Moura £50m
Kane £50m
Muller £100m
and I am not sure I see us having 300-350 million to spend
Im not too bothered about the formation as a fluid 433 and 4231 are not that different anyway - its more about tempo and intent
It certainly wouldn't be a step back salary wise, as we'd be offering probably treble what he's currently on. If City's owners had the same mentality as this they wouldn't have bought Toure, Aguero, Nasri, Robinho or Silva.
Every player in world Football knows that United are one of the top 4 teams in the world; a 2-3 year poor spell isn't going to change that, just like it didn't change it for Bayern, Madrid or Barcelona in their similar spells.
I could see us going back to 4-4-2, if we sign some of those players. Everyone from that defence and right winger list would be welcome.
Rugani, van Dijk, Koulibaly
Xhaka, Koke, Saul, Geis, Ruben Neves
Fekir, Payet, Lemar, El Ghazi
Batshuayi, Embolo
Ibrahimovic
If you were to extend it to make a fuller list, what would it look like?
I'm just curious to know the other names that could be available. The talk is often on a select few players, who might not be the easiest to transfer.
Those 2 stand out for me. The others, excluding Zlatan, are either injured or still slightly unproved.
So was Martial. Nevertheless his talent is obvious. Proven or not is a discussion you can have forever. Di Maria, Veron and Falcao didn't work out for us. They were proven players. I'm not saying everyone is suitable on that list, merely suggesting players that could help.
Koke and Koulibaly are proven as well.
Dont get me wrong, you brought up some good names. Im just trying to find the players we should be targetting. Young talent is fine, but I feel we need a player with enough experience and confidence to carry the team forward.
Koke would be good, but is he realistic?
No, he is not. Neither are Müller, Ronaldo and Bale.
That's why I say that United have fallen since 3/4 years so dramatically that some of us can see it.
Lot of us think that because we're United, we can attract any player in the world. But no, and especially not in January.
We may be able to over-overpay for one or two players in this window but we won't get the players to change our play drasticaly.
If we want players this Jan, we'll have to splash the cash just to fix issues that have been made last windows.
Usually when you're happy with your summer window you don't need to add.
And then, that's not the case for us. We didn't bought (well) enough this summer and trying to compensate thanks to money, but that's not so simple.
We'll have to be really imaginative and found terrific talent to upgrade our squad.
Lot of us think that because we're United, we can attract any player in the world. But no, and especially not in January.
We may be able to over-overpay for one or two players in this window but we won't get the players to change our play drasticaly.
If we want players this Jan, we'll have to splash the cash just to fix issues that have been made last windows.
Usually when you're happy with your summer window you don't need to add.
And then, that's not the case for us. We didn't bought (well) enough this summer and trying to compensate thanks to money, but that's not so simple.
We'll have to be really imaginative and found terrific talent to upgrade our squad.
Depends on whether we can get Neymar or not.
If we can't, I'd like us to get Mahrez, Isco, M'villa and Stones.
--------Depay-----Martial---------
--------------Mahrez---------------
---------Isco---------Herrera-------
---------------M'villa----------------
Shaw---Stones---Smalling---Darmain
----------------DDG-----------------
If we can get Neymar. I'd like us to get Quintero, M'villa, Stones and Salah along with him.
----------Martial-----Salah-----------
----------------Neymar---------------
--------Herrera------Quintero------
-----------------M'villa----------------
Shaw-----Stones---Smalling-----Darmain
------------------DDG-----------------
Either team would be more than good enough to win the title.
If we can't, I'd like us to get Mahrez, Isco, M'villa and Stones.
--------Depay-----Martial---------
--------------Mahrez---------------
---------Isco---------Herrera-------
---------------M'villa----------------
Shaw---Stones---Smalling---Darmain
----------------DDG-----------------
If we can get Neymar. I'd like us to get Quintero, M'villa, Stones and Salah along with him.
----------Martial-----Salah-----------
----------------Neymar---------------
--------Herrera------Quintero------
-----------------M'villa----------------
Shaw-----Stones---Smalling-----Darmain
------------------DDG-----------------
Either team would be more than good enough to win the title.
It really is hard get too excited about potential transfer atm because no matter who we seem to play we keep getting the same sort of football.
But in the hope we turn a corner then for me we just need a CB and a RW, obviously a striker would be nice but it would also be nice to see Wilson back and have him, Martial, and Rooney fighting it out up front.
The key signing though is definatly the right winger.
But in the hope we turn a corner then for me we just need a CB and a RW, obviously a striker would be nice but it would also be nice to see Wilson back and have him, Martial, and Rooney fighting it out up front.
The key signing though is definatly the right winger.
Lol, I bet Neymar will be knocking down the door of Carrington to get into this team!
Most people are going over the top in my view. A top class central defender and two attacking players and we'd have a squad that a good manager would be winning trophies with and competing in the Champions League with (not necessarily winning as the big 3 teams will always be very strong).
A team like the following would have us very competitive with a good manager:
________DDG
Darmian Godin Smalling Shaw
___Herrera__Schweinsteiger
Mata___Griezmann___Mane
________Martial
Subs: Romero Blind Rojo Schneiderlin Depay Jones Young
That'd be under £100m spent and a team that will require maybe 1 top class addition a year for the foreseeable future. People will complain about money spent, but that'd be a squad bought in for say £400m total; which would be much less than the likes of City and comparable to Chelsea.
A team like the following would have us very competitive with a good manager:
________DDG
Darmian Godin Smalling Shaw
___Herrera__Schweinsteiger
Mata___Griezmann___Mane
________Martial
Subs: Romero Blind Rojo Schneiderlin Depay Jones Young
That'd be under £100m spent and a team that will require maybe 1 top class addition a year for the foreseeable future. People will complain about money spent, but that'd be a squad bought in for say £400m total; which would be much less than the likes of City and comparable to Chelsea.
All that money and Mata still playing on the wing?
Mata is a big problem imo and does not have the attributes to play there.
we should build on:
Martial
x - x - x
Schweinsteiger - Schneiderlin
Shaw - x - Smalling - Darmian
ddg
Depay, Young, Lingard, Mata, Carrick, Valencia, Blind and Rojo would be rotation opions or are allowed to leave, if find suitable replacements. Herrera might be a potencial starter, if you play him as third midfielder.
We need at least one winger and a CB; everything else depends on the system. Stones should be a priority. We should be all over Gündogan, if he is availible next summer. Quality winger are hard to come by, but we need at least one pacy player out wide.
Martial
x - x - x
Schweinsteiger - Schneiderlin
Shaw - x - Smalling - Darmian
ddg
Depay, Young, Lingard, Mata, Carrick, Valencia, Blind and Rojo would be rotation opions or are allowed to leave, if find suitable replacements. Herrera might be a potencial starter, if you play him as third midfielder.
We need at least one winger and a CB; everything else depends on the system. Stones should be a priority. We should be all over Gündogan, if he is availible next summer. Quality winger are hard to come by, but we need at least one pacy player out wide.
Then Griezmann could play from the left, Mane from the right and Mata through the middle. Or Mata could play from the left, Mane from the right and Griezmann through the middle. Hell Martial could play from the left, Mane from the right and Mata behind Griezmann up front.
It's an incredibly versatile front four that any quality manager would get to work.
Agree with this Depay Herrera Jones Blind Rooney Valencia Young are good enough.
Rojo Mata not fussed.
Better idea would just be to replace Mata.
Might as well replace Darmian, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger & Herrera while we're at it then. Although I'd argue if a manager can't get the best out of those 5 quality players who cost over £110m then we'd be better off replacing him before he wastes more money on players he can't get the best out of.
Why? They are all good players?
Rooney needs to be sold before anyone else, he's completely shot, and I don't think we should be building our midfield on an aging Schweinsteiger either, I agree with you on Mata though.
A CB, CM and 2 forwards are needed IMO.
Minimum:
Stones
Gündogan
Griezmann
Bazoer (Or any othe long term Carrick replacement)
Stones
Gündogan
Griezmann
Bazoer (Or any othe long term Carrick replacement)
De Gea
Darmian Smalling Stones Shaw
Schneiderlin
Gündogan Herrera
Mata Griezmann Memphis
Martial
Romero
Valencia Jones Blind Rojo
Bazoer
Pereira Bastian
Lingard Adnan Young
Wilson
Extras: Varela, Powell, Tuanzebe etc.
Darmian Smalling Stones Shaw
Schneiderlin
Gündogan Herrera
Mata Griezmann Memphis
Martial
Romero
Valencia Jones Blind Rojo
Bazoer
Pereira Bastian
Lingard Adnan Young
Wilson
Extras: Varela, Powell, Tuanzebe etc.
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1. Herrera is a starting quality player.
2. Memphis is literally a decade younger than Schweinsteiger. That, and Memphis' aggressive runs in behind (see the Fellaini goal against Bournemouth for an example) will be enough for him to have a good career here as our LW.
3. Blind is a fine backup LB, LWB, LCB and DM in one player. This is his 3rd position in 4 seasons and he's basically done well at all of them. No reason for him to be on any list of departures.
The rest I agree with.
Mahrez, Griezmann and Lukaku.
Fix the attack. In those three we'd have pace and power in our attack. I know people will say what about Martial and Depay. Well competition is always a good thing. 5 or 6 attackers for three spots would be great.
Add Stones and Gundogan to that, I would be delighted.
I would get rid of Rooney and Rojo. Both Jones and Rojo are injury prone, so whoever is in charge will need to make a decision on that.
Mata and Fellaini I would also get rid of. They just don't suit the style of play that we want to see. Mata is a likeable guy, but it's just not worked out for him.
Fix the attack. In those three we'd have pace and power in our attack. I know people will say what about Martial and Depay. Well competition is always a good thing. 5 or 6 attackers for three spots would be great.
Add Stones and Gundogan to that, I would be delighted.
I would get rid of Rooney and Rojo. Both Jones and Rojo are injury prone, so whoever is in charge will need to make a decision on that.
Mata and Fellaini I would also get rid of. They just don't suit the style of play that we want to see. Mata is a likeable guy, but it's just not worked out for him.
If some of the loaned out players return I would have no issue seeing a quite competative team (if we rule out a rather boring philosophy/style.)
Cash out on either Stone or Varane. Stone being the (probably) slightly cheaper option, and most likely, but less proven and arguably talented. Varane is a bit of a dream signing, class cb, still talented/young, but proven and will quite likely be/is world class sooner rather than later.
As a great option (or simply be first choice?) on the wing Adnan will return and Wilson could get some minutes or maybe more.
Neymar would in my opinion make the squad really strong (seeing that they found their form/played to the philosophy), I know nohing is impossible, but right now I see no reason why he would even consider a move.
Cash out on either Stone or Varane. Stone being the (probably) slightly cheaper option, and most likely, but less proven and arguably talented. Varane is a bit of a dream signing, class cb, still talented/young, but proven and will quite likely be/is world class sooner rather than later.
As a great option (or simply be first choice?) on the wing Adnan will return and Wilson could get some minutes or maybe more.
Neymar would in my opinion make the squad really strong (seeing that they found their form/played to the philosophy), I know nohing is impossible, but right now I see no reason why he would even consider a move.
Berardi on the RW maybe?
Memphis-Martial-Berardi coupd be deadly.
Memphis-Martial-Berardi coupd be deadly.
Think Schweinsteigner is important for us for next 2-3 years.
All good players who've shown no more than Mata in the last 4 months. A point backed up by his average rating, goal and assist contribution.
Mata is a huge part of our problem imo. Kills our attacks on the right, now that's fair and well when he's being productive but when he's passing the ball 5 yards backwards and sideways it just doesn't work. Play him 10 and give him a chance but please never again in the front 3. He kills us stone dead going up the right side.