Top class right winger and a ball playing CB since, as @Invictus stated, Blind's long term viabilty in the role could go either way. I desperately want Januzaj to come back and claim the No.10 role so I wouldn't buy major competition just yet. Having done that a back up striker on the cheap wouldn't be bad. Martial will lead the line and alternate the role with Rooney until we see the back of the latter.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
We could do with some more sponsors
Ideal scenario is that Januzaj shows good form at Dortmund and can be our #10 next year, or even Pereira. Alternatively i think Alex Teixeira could be a good choice, he also said he wants to come here 
.
.Embolo, Fekir, Laporte/Stones, Xhaka
Is what I'm currently hoping for. Xhaka is probably a bit excessive considering our midfield options nowadays, but Carrick isn't getting younger and I'd like us to have depth in quality. If Reus or Bale become available, things might change.
Is what I'm currently hoping for. Xhaka is probably a bit excessive considering our midfield options nowadays, but Carrick isn't getting younger and I'd like us to have depth in quality. If Reus or Bale become available, things might change.
We need a real world class striker. Problem is, none of them are easily available.
Watching over the first lot of games, I don't think we need anything beyond that. The engine of the team is fantastic. We just need more goals.
Watching over the first lot of games, I don't think we need anything beyond that. The engine of the team is fantastic. We just need more goals.
Xhaka would be perfect for us, him Schneiderlin and Herrera is as close to perfect a midfield trio as you can get.
Fekir, if he hadn't got that injury would have been the dream signing. Reus is another, but it might be that we consider Adnan there as the long-term player, as opposed to Reus, who would be good for the medium term, as opposed to the long.
I think McNair maybe a goer for the CB position. He is very much in the Stones mould and plays with a very cool head on his shoulders. If we do need a signing though, the choice would be Laporte.
Striker-wise, I honestly would not mind if we bought someone in the mould of Berahino (someone who while good, is not good enough to be the main man in the long term) to provide competition and keep the efforts of Rooney, Martial and Wilson honest. Because for me, Wilson is the long-term future in that position, along with Martial...
We're about 3 players short.
- senior CB or a top talent in Laporte mould.
- right winger or wide forward.
- striker/central forward.
Ideally -
CB - Marquinhos/Laporte
FW - Reus
FW/ST - Griezmann
GK - Leno(if DDG goes)
- senior CB or a top talent in Laporte mould.
- right winger or wide forward.
- striker/central forward.
Ideally -
CB - Marquinhos/Laporte
FW - Reus
FW/ST - Griezmann
GK - Leno(if DDG goes)
I think we should be looking for 3 players if De Gea stays.
I think Blind has done well at CB but will eventually look to move back into the double 6 contest, and I don't think we should miss out on John Stones. So I am hoping we go for him in the summer.
The rest of our focus should be in attack with a couple of quality additions, first and foremost a RWF with pace to at the very least offer an option other than Mata as the inverted attacker on the flank. I don't think Bale or Reus etc....are all the likely, Griezmann is well worth a look though IMO and Bernado Silva might be a decent option if he pushes on this season.
The big difficulty centrally in attack is we are hamstrung by having to constantly buy around Rooney as opposed to him simply being a member of the match day 18. I'd love us to bring in a #10 like Fekir or Barkley to play off the main striker but I think a player like Gundogan who can play as a #8 or #10 might be the best option as long as Rooney still has such a strong foothold in our team.
I think Blind has done well at CB but will eventually look to move back into the double 6 contest, and I don't think we should miss out on John Stones. So I am hoping we go for him in the summer.
The rest of our focus should be in attack with a couple of quality additions, first and foremost a RWF with pace to at the very least offer an option other than Mata as the inverted attacker on the flank. I don't think Bale or Reus etc....are all the likely, Griezmann is well worth a look though IMO and Bernado Silva might be a decent option if he pushes on this season.
The big difficulty centrally in attack is we are hamstrung by having to constantly buy around Rooney as opposed to him simply being a member of the match day 18. I'd love us to bring in a #10 like Fekir or Barkley to play off the main striker but I think a player like Gundogan who can play as a #8 or #10 might be the best option as long as Rooney still has such a strong foothold in our team.
Last season a CM goes down and Wayne is in midfield. We lose a forward this season and all we have is Fellaini and Valencia off the bench, damn.
Some players with a guts, some players who are winners
We need an elite attacking player. Someone with great movement, dribbling ability and a consistent end product.
An out and out superstar really. No idea who that could be though...
An out and out superstar really. No idea who that could be though...
We're okay for now.
I think that our defensive unit is the best in Europe when everybody's fit ( ). But even without Shaw, I think we're in the top two or three teams in that department.
I'd also fancy our midfield to go toe to toe with absolutely anyone, including the big three in the CL.
The only issue is with the front four. Memphis and Martial don't pass the ball cutely enough, whereas Mata passes it too cutely. Rooney blows hot and cold and Young is more of a facilitator than a difference maker.
I think our season hinges on how much the two new lads improve front. If both Memphis and Martial manage to kick on, I think we'll win the league. If only one of them kicks on, we'll finish second. If neither of them does, we'll finish third.
It's too early to predict what will happen with our youngsters, so I'm gonna bide my time before deciding what we need exactly.
I think that our defensive unit is the best in Europe when everybody's fit (
). But even without Shaw, I think we're in the top two or three teams in that department.I'd also fancy our midfield to go toe to toe with absolutely anyone, including the big three in the CL.
The only issue is with the front four. Memphis and Martial don't pass the ball cutely enough, whereas Mata passes it too cutely. Rooney blows hot and cold and Young is more of a facilitator than a difference maker.
I think our season hinges on how much the two new lads improve front. If both Memphis and Martial manage to kick on, I think we'll win the league. If only one of them kicks on, we'll finish second. If neither of them does, we'll finish third.
It's too early to predict what will happen with our youngsters, so I'm gonna bide my time before deciding what we need exactly.
This idea that we need x amount of players is completely wrong. Transfers don't buy you team chemistry and character. We need to establish that first before throwing yet more money at feelgood transfers.
I might just be a prisoner of the present and I might be thinking completely differently come June but, I feel like Ross Barkley and Riyad Mahrez might be the missing pieces for us. With his performances so far this season I am back on the Ross Barkley bandwagon he might be the #10 that would be perfect for Van Gaal's system. Him and Mahrez playing on the right wing would give us the pace and dribbling ability we seem to be lacking.
All the chemistry in the world doesn't alter the fact we don't have a proper option for the wide right position and we don't have a proper #10 in a formation that uses a #10, on top of that we have no depth in attack.
Disagree. Its all about the players playing with a degree of character and intensity. You can't buy that, it has to come from within.
The quality is not up to standard and that is the biggest problem, all the other buzzwords are just that without the quality in the personnel, Mata just simply doesn't offer enough in most games and Rooney looks as shot as RvP did last season. It's like making a meal, you can cook it just right but if you use sub standard ingredients it will still not be great.
I don't disagree that we can do with better quality, but its still going to be a matter of getting that quality to play up to their potential. It didn't work with Di Maria, who was widely regarded as world class before he arrived, and it may not with other new players as well. That's why its critical for LvG to get the current lot to play with more squad solidarity, which he has but it just needs to improve.
A winger would be nice, otherwise patience. Especially with januzaj hopefully coming back after a great season.
I think we're mostly ok really.
Rooney and Carrick possibly being replaced?
I think were ok with carrick now actually. Our Schmidfield has us pretty well covered for a few years.
Mostly patience, we've got Memphis, Martial, Shaw, Wilson, Januzaj, Jones, DDG and Rojo all of whom are very young for their positions.
We cant buy neymar or muller so growing our own is kind of necessary and its a pretty good line up of young talent.
And most of our players have only been here a season or less so we should give them a small chance before replacing them
I think we're mostly ok really.
Rooney and Carrick possibly being replaced?
I think were ok with carrick now actually. Our Schmidfield has us pretty well covered for a few years.
Mostly patience, we've got Memphis, Martial, Shaw, Wilson, Januzaj, Jones, DDG and Rojo all of whom are very young for their positions.
We cant buy neymar or muller so growing our own is kind of necessary and its a pretty good line up of young talent.
And most of our players have only been here a season or less so we should give them a small chance before replacing them
The solidarity is there IMO, the team are fighting and showing spirit but you can only get so much out of Rooney and Mata and they aren't delivering, that's not LvG, that's them. Di Maria is a black mark no doubt and in hindsight I do think the short time LvG had to make transfers last summer meant we didn't vet him well enough and I don't think he realized the nature of the physicality in the PL. If you look at both his attacking signings this summer they are strong athletes.
However whichever way you slice it we are really short of options to change it up and to rotate based on form, tonight off the bench we had Fellaini and Valencia as our options to try and pull a point out, it's pretty poor.
I doubt anyone disagrees with this but the while we are growing the young talent we need Rooney and Mata upgrading or at least players of a more senior status brought in to compete for their spots as both have it way too easy in their respective positions.
All of our strikers have struggled up front so i dont think its a problem with personnel. Martial looks like pretty good competition to me tbh, the more he plays the better he'll get.
I think matas been mostly good ... but he probably worked better with valencia behind him to provide width. As a combo darmian and mata dont really work imo so i agree a bit on that one.
Rooney looks shot, he just doesn't have the edge in his game anymore, and we don't have a proper #10 in the side at all in a system that uses one. We need a RWF and a #10, Rooney can compete for the #9 with Martial and the and #10 role while someone like Griezmann can compete with Mata for the RWF spot, leaving Memphis and Young competing for the LWF spot.
Griezmann and Reus, those 2 up top with martial or memphis is just
A new CB
A new CB
A lot does depend on what happens between now and January. Our first XI is in a pretty good state but we lack depth - which is almost ironic given the amount of "deadwood" we have cleared out.
If we can get a high quality player who can play on the right wing and/or up front, that should be a priority I think. I am not a big fan of using Mata out wide, and we really do lack any proper replacement options (no, not Valencia) down that side. We are also light up front, so a player who can fix both problems would be perfect.
We are also a bit light in the FB positions - we have plenty in the squad who can play at LB or RB, but none for whom it is their preferred position, in my opinion. If we could get someone able to cover on either side, that would again be ideal.
Aside from that we are mostly set I think, although I wouldnt object to us finding a long term CB partner for Smalling - Stones being the obvious candidate.
If we can get a high quality player who can play on the right wing and/or up front, that should be a priority I think. I am not a big fan of using Mata out wide, and we really do lack any proper replacement options (no, not Valencia) down that side. We are also light up front, so a player who can fix both problems would be perfect.
We are also a bit light in the FB positions - we have plenty in the squad who can play at LB or RB, but none for whom it is their preferred position, in my opinion. If we could get someone able to cover on either side, that would again be ideal.
Aside from that we are mostly set I think, although I wouldnt object to us finding a long term CB partner for Smalling - Stones being the obvious candidate.
A striker. That is the sum total of our problems atm. We do have options in defence and midfield. Up front the cupboard is bare.
We need two attackers...
- A right winger
- A striker
- A right winger
- A striker
Forgot about the right wing.
Laporte, Gundogan and a right winger. Mahrez if he keeps up his form could be interesting.
I want us to use Memphis, Martial and Januzaj, they all have huge potential, believe in them and they will come good.
I want us to use Memphis, Martial and Januzaj, they all have huge potential, believe in them and they will come good.
Bring back Adnan in the summer window. Sign a top CB to partner Mike. A right winger and another striker.
At least two top, top draw attackers. Way better than what we have. We lack quality, not "character" or any other buzz word. The players just aren't that good. Nothing to do with effort or passion.
I just read that Woody is claiming that we won't spend big in the next few windows since we've spent so much in the past two. That's not a good sign.
I figure between January and next summer we need a CB, a LB, a RW and a striker...and perhaps a GK if De Gea leaves.
Hate to say it but we can't put a bandaid on our LB situation for the next year in the hopes that Shaw comes back and plays at the level he had been. I think Blind is good cover at LB but I wouldn't want him there as our regular LB.
I figure between January and next summer we need a CB, a LB, a RW and a striker...and perhaps a GK if De Gea leaves.
Hate to say it but we can't put a bandaid on our LB situation for the next year in the hopes that Shaw comes back and plays at the level he had been. I think Blind is good cover at LB but I wouldn't want him there as our regular LB.
Sissoko could be useful
Griezmann and Laporte would sort our team for a bit, surely our French lads (Schneiderlin/Martial) can work something out.
First Team:
Martial
Memphis Rooney Griezmann
Schweini Schneiderlin
Shaw Laporte Smalling Darmian
De Gea
Second Team:
Wilson
Pereira Mata Januzaj
Carrick Herrera
Rojo Blind Jones Valencia
Johnstone
First Team:
Martial
Memphis Rooney Griezmann
Schweini Schneiderlin
Shaw Laporte Smalling Darmian
De Gea
Second Team:
Wilson
Pereira Mata Januzaj
Carrick Herrera
Rojo Blind Jones Valencia
Johnstone
I don't think it works in terms of 1st and 2nd teams - its more so a case of having depth of players where the manager can select who he wants for varying situations and opposition strengths/weaknesses. The constant swapping of Carrick, Schweini, and Morgan is an example of this.
I hope when Woodward is talking about reduced activity in the transfer market he is referring to the amount of players being bought as opposed to fees. I think we need one more good summer outlay on 3 quality players to ge things in challenging order.
I'm still a firm believer that Stones is the CB we need to after, this will allow Blind to be freer to cover LB and play in midfield if needed, plus we can sell Valencia as Stones is also good at RB.
I could see one of Mata/Fellaini/Herrera being sold in the summer to partly fund the buying of a top forward option, hopefully Griezmann. Out those I hope Herrera stays.
I'm still a firm believer that Stones is the CB we need to after, this will allow Blind to be freer to cover LB and play in midfield if needed, plus we can sell Valencia as Stones is also good at RB.
I could see one of Mata/Fellaini/Herrera being sold in the summer to partly fund the buying of a top forward option, hopefully Griezmann. Out those I hope Herrera stays.
I'd add two players in attack and one ball playing central defender.
They are all need to be players who can make an instant or near-instant impact. And at least one of the two attackers has to have pace and dribbling ability.
Januzaj comes back and along with Mata/Herrera is one of the prime playmakers.
Do that, and we have an excellent squad that can win the league or come very very close.
They are all need to be players who can make an instant or near-instant impact. And at least one of the two attackers has to have pace and dribbling ability.
Januzaj comes back and along with Mata/Herrera is one of the prime playmakers.
Do that, and we have an excellent squad that can win the league or come very very close.
That's an odd way to look at it.
We have all season to build a good chemistry and cohesiveness. But you need both a) A team good enough and B) A team cohesive enough, to win the premier league. The latter comes internally, and the former comes both internally and externally. The key is to get both right, and not spend 2 or more years attaining one and THEN attaining the other. We consolidate this season, make ourselves into a good cohesive unit this season, before adding that extra bit of quality to reach the next level next season.
I don't think any of our signings so far under LVG apart from possibly Falcao were "feel good transfers". He's only signed what we've genuinely needed. And we'll attain this cohesiveness, which I'm already seeing to TBH, because he's signed the players he has. Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Darmian etc will all make us a better team and a better unit.
I think we need someone like Griezmann, someone who is flexible enough to play equally well in one of the 3 positions behind the striker as well as up top. No one is displacing Rooney so we would be limited in the quality we could bring in who'd be happy sitting on the bench, they'd be able to get regular time outwide and as number 10 and also cover for injuries.