What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.

I placed TFM at RB because that is where he has been playing mostly in his few apperances and he did well.

I'm not sure if he will be a CB, RB, CDM or B2B, but i can't see why it would hurt him to play RB at his age. He will learn from every minute he gets on the pitch.
 
YouOnlyLiveTwice said:
I placed TFM at RB because that is where he has been playing mostly in his few apperances and he did well.

I'm not sure if he will be a CB, RB, CDM or B2B, but i can't see why it would hurt him to play RB at his age. He will learn from every minute he gets on the pitch.
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I comment wasn't directly at you but we both know that knowing United and LvG. The kid will probably play 7 positions in the next 5 games. I just think its healthy when a player is assured that x is his bread and butter rather than "hey, do you feel like playing here today?". For all the muppetry going on about who we want to buy, our club is riddled with the shoehorning players, like a band, Wazza and the shoehorners. :lol:

Apart from Smalling, DDG and Schneiderlin every player has played every where with little succes on a whole IMO. I think in the last game, only 4 playes including the GK played in their natural positions. It's like a plague. Some players have overstayed their usefulness but still remain here because "they can play more than one position". Nothing to do with ability but how they can play other roles, averagely. Until we get rid of this mentality, will not affect the way we sell and buy players? For example, how do you buy a RB when one can say "no need, Valencia, Darmian, Varela, TFM, Smalling, Jones, Young, McNair, Januzaj, Riley and Lingard can all play there". The same goes for everywhere else on the pitch!

For me, only Darmian, Varela and Riley should be fighting for the RB position. And If they are not good enough, we know who to move and make a quick replacement.

Same with the situation up front. It's a good thing that Martial and to a lesser degree Rashford have been in scintillating form this season. To be pedantic, LvG stated that he brought Martial as a #9, and Martial himself wanted to play as a #9. But, in other to shoehorn Rooney into the team, we have moved the kid to LW, and fair play he has done well but is it not possible that he could have done more damage at #9? Same thing last season, that we moved Mata out wide to accommodate Rooney in the #10 position, when Mata could have done more damage there.
 
dichinero said:
I am not writing him off at all but I doubt shoehorning a player about or doing a "Rooney" as I call it so often does wonders for a player ability to master a role except in the development stages of a player. Moving a player about is usually an emergency call or they have actually nailed their natural roles at CB and bring their experience in to the secondary role of FB but it doesn't seem to be the case at United. At one point, one could not tell if Jones was a RB or CB or DM. Even Lahm had to be a master at one before exploring other roles. I've seen people say that TFM, is our future RB, some at LB meanwhile we brought him in as central player where I believe his maximum potential lies.

I'm not saying that I know what the coaching staff, it's just a concern that he might end up being a jack of all trades. In the last 10 years or so, Rio and Vidic are the only CBs that haven't been moved about bar one game with Rio at DM :lol:. Consistency is key!
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TFM is in his development stages though so you don't even agree with your own point. It is hardly shoehorning when he has played FB for our youth teams, for the Dutch youth teams and now for our first team. He is well capable of playing at FB and footballers can play more than one position. Lahm's own teammate in Alaba plays at LB, CB, and CM. Which one is his best? Should he not be allowed to play the other positions? Of course he can because he is a fantastic footballer who can play multiple positions at a top level.

I think the likes of Fergie, Joyce, and van Gaal know a lot more about player development than you or I or anyone on here and they have all used players in different positions to aid their development so I'm going to go with them.
 
dichinero said:
I comment wasn't directly at you but we both know that knowing United and LvG. The kid will probably play 7 positions in the next 5 games. I just think its healthy when a player is assured that x is his bread and butter rather than "hey, do you feel like playing here today?". For all the muppetry going on about who we want to buy, our club is riddled with the shoehorning players, like a band, Wazza and the shoehorners. :lol:

Apart from Smalling, DDG and Schneiderlin every player has played every where with little succes on a whole IMO. I think in the last game, only 4 playes including the GK played in their natural positions. It's like a plague. Some players have overstayed their usefulness but still remain here because "they can play more than one position". Nothing to do with ability but how they can play other roles, averagely. Until we get rid of this mentality, will not affect the way we sell and buy players? For example, how do you buy a RB when one can say "no need, Valencia, Darmian, Varela, TFM, Smalling, Jones, Young, McNair, Januzaj, Riley and Lingard can all play there". The same goes for everywhere else on the pitch!

For me, only Darmian, Varela and Riley should be fighting for the RB position. And If they are not good enough, we know who to move and make a quick replacement.

Same with the situation up front. It's a good thing that Martial and to a lesser degree Rashford have been in scintillating form this season. To be pedantic, LvG stated that he brought Martial as a #9, and Martial himself wanted to play as a #9. But, in other to shoehorn Rooney into the team, we have moved the kid to LW, and fair play he has done well but is it not possible that he could have done more damage at #9? Same thing last season, that we moved Mata out wide to accommodate Rooney in the #10 position, when Mata could have done more damage there.
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Who decides what this natural position is though? There is no such thing as a natural position and it is a load of bollocks. Players can either play a position or not and several players can play in multiple positions.

You are going to say Blind is a natural CM but he has played more throughout his career at both CB and LB than he has in midfield. Martial is a striker but he has scored more goals and more assists out left than he has up front. He plays out left for France as well. Who are you to say what Martial's 'natural position' is over his actual managers. Walcott says he wants to play as a #9 too does that mean he is being shoehorned out the wing? Oh what about Rashford, he is a 'natural' winger. Shall we knock this on the head and stop playing him up top?
 
I agree with Limerick.

The only issue is when players like Young are being played as a striker or extremes like that.

Mata is just as good out wide as he is in the middle. I think he has played even more on the wings throughout his career.

Martial is better when he can dribble from out wide, so i don't think he would be more useful as a #9, not atm at least.

It's not a bad thing to have players that are capable of playing more than one position.
 
This feels like a revolving door of thoughts, I think we've all changed our minds or rearranged thing multiple times, but I guess that is the nature of things, especially when you have a team as erratic as ours.

There are some good options around:

CB - Maquinhos/Varane/Mustfai/Koulibaly
2 CM's - Joao Mario/Saul/Kante/Kroos/Andre Gomes
RWF - Rafa Silva/Ounas/Bernardo Silva/Mahrez
Striker - Ibra/Higuain/Morata/Lacazette
 
Wouldn't Grzegorz Krychowiak from Sevilla be a good option for midfield? Arsenal were rumored to be interested in him before but it looks like they're going to sign Xhaka instead.
 
Devil may care said:
This feels like a revolving door of thoughts, I think we've all changed our minds or rearranged thing multiple times, but I guess that is the nature of things, especially when you have a team as erratic as ours.

There are some good options around:

CB - Maquinhos/Varane/Mustfai/Koulibaly
2 CM's - Joao Mario/Saul/Kante/Kroos/Andre Gomes
RWF - Rafa Silva/Ounas/Bernardo Silva/Mahrez
Striker - Ibra/Higuain/Morata/Lacazette
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Assuming Rooney will start either as No.10 in a 4231 or midfielder in a 433, I think signing just 1 CM would be enough this summer.

I guess we are looking for a player to partner Schneiderlin. So a deep-lying playmaker like Kroos could be a good option. We have Herrera, Schweinsteiger, Blind and Fosu-Mensah to cover. So we would have 6 players for 2 positions even though Carrick and Fellaini are sold.

Varane would be my favorite signing of the defenders you mentioned. However, I'm not sure if he's realistic. For what I have seen, Koulibaly looks taller and stronger than Marquinhos. Have you notice if there'sa big height difference?

The right wing should be our priority. I haven't seen Ounas, do you think he has more potential than Sane? Moura would be also a nice addition if he is available. But I have the feeling that we will target Mane.

If we want to build for the future Lacazette is an interesting choice because we will have a fluid attack with pace, Rashford could rotate with him.

Zlatan for free looks like the best alternative, but somehow it doesn't sound exciting with Rooney also as starter, maybe I can be wrong and they could be a good striker force next season. The positive about Ibra is that we could still spend money in a top player like Griezmann.
 
Fer said:
Assuming Rooney will start either as No.10 in a 4231 or midfielder in a 433, I think signing just 1 CM would be enough this summer.

I guess we are looking for a player to partner Schneiderlin. So a deep-lying playmaker like Kroos could be a good option. We have Herrera, Schweinsteiger, Blind and Fosu-Mensah to cover. So we would have 6 players for 2 positions even though Carrick and Fellaini are sold.
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I don't think Schneiderlin has done anything to merit being a starter personally, and him, Kroos and Rooney is a disaster waiting to happen IMO, no athleticism or guts in that trio.

Varane would be my favorite signing of the defenders you mentioned. However, I'm not sure if he's realistic. For what I have seen, Koulibaly looks taller and stronger than Marquinhos. Have you notice if there'sa big height difference?
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Kouilbaly is a big unit, about 6'5 I think, certainly taller and more powerful than Marquinhos.

The right wing should be our priority. I haven't seen Ounas, do you think he has more potential than Sane? Moura would be also a nice addition if he is available. But I have the feeling that we will target Mane.
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Sane is stronger than Ounas but I'd say the latter is a better dribbler and has superb close control. I hope we avoid Mane like the plague, mediocre and a mercenary attitude.

If we want to build for the future Lacazette is an interesting choice because we will have a fluid attack with pace, Rashford could rotate with him.

Zlatan for free looks like the best alternative, but somehow it doesn't sound exciting with Rooney also as starter, maybe I can be wrong and they could be a good striker force next season. The positive about Ibra is that we could still spend money in a top player like Griezmann.
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This is the tricky one because if Rooney is going to be stinking up the joint next season then I don't see any point in bringing Ibra in, we'd be like molasses through the middle.
 
Our centre midfield is gash. I would happily see all of them leave.

We need two actual quality, consistent players there. We do not have any that fit this description whatsoever.
 
Zlatan.
Martial Antoine Mahrez
TKroos Morgan
Shaw Laporte Smalling Damo
DDG
​
There is no fecking way we will ever finish 5th again with this side and with Mourinho as the manager we would probably win the league
 
YouOnlyLiveTwice said:
Zlatan.
Martial Antoine Mahrez
TKroos Morgan
Shaw Laporte Smalling Damo
DDG
​
There is no fecking way we will ever finish 5th again with this side and with Mourinho as the manager we would probably win the league
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How does Schneiderlin keep making the cut in these dream line-ups? :p
 
DarkXaero said:
Wouldn't Grzegorz Krychowiak from Sevilla be a good option for midfield? Arsenal were rumored to be interested in him before but it looks like they're going to sign Xhaka instead.
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Could be similar to Schneiderlin in that he excels with mobility and size but he might not be quite good enough on the ball. I doubt he's as clumsy, prone to hiding and lacking in creativity as Schneiderlin (that sounds like I hate the Frenchman but I don't, just think he's been surprisingly limited on the ball. Hopefully Van Gaal and his weird beliefs leaving fixes it partly) but he still doesn't necessarily fit the mold of a guy who will do better on a bigger team.
 
What would people think about going for Matic, I don't think he seems that happy and the moment and I'm sure he'd be keen to rejoin Mourinho if he arrived. I still think he's one of the best defensive mids in the leagues even if his form this year has been poor. I think if we could build a team like this we would be in a good position.

..................De Gea..................
Valencia....Smalling....Varane...Shaw
...........Matic.......Schniederlin.....
Mahrez......Rooney.........Martial
................Ibrahimovic..............

That team still needs abit of work and I think Rooney is still the weak link there, however that looks very much like a Mounriho team to me. It's a lot stronger and bigger than the team we have this year. Mounriho might just be able to tempt Varane if we back it up with money and same with Mahrez who I think is definately gettable if we throw some good money at him. I think Mourinho could compete with that team.
 
TrustInJanuzai said:
What would people think about going for Matic, I don't think he seems that happy and the moment and I'm sure he'd be keen to rejoin Mourinho if he arrived. I still think he's one of the best defensive mids in the leagues even if his form this year has been poor. I think if we could build a team like this we would be in a good position.

..................De Gea..................
Valencia....Smalling....Varane...Shaw
...........Matic.......Schniederlin.....
Mahrez......Rooney.........Martial
................Ibrahimovic..............

That team still needs abit of work and I think Rooney is still the weak link there, however that looks very much like a Mounriho team to me. It's a lot stronger and bigger than the team we have this year. Mounriho might just be able to tempt Varane if we back it up with money and same with Mahrez who I think is definately gettable if we throw some good money at him. I think Mourinho could compete with that team.
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Matic, Schneiderlin and Rooney in the same midfield? Half the PL will completely overrun that slow midfield.
 
itso 7 said:
Matic, Schneiderlin and Rooney in the same midfield? Half the PL will completely overrun that slow midfield.
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Fabregas, Oscar and Matic is the midfield that won for Chelsea and that's no quicker. Rooney is the elephant in the room, Schniderlin and Matic would be a solid defensive pair
 
TrustInJanuzai said:
Fabregas, Oscar and Matic is the midfield that won for Chelsea and that's no quicker. Rooney is the elephant in the room, Schniderlin and Matic would be a solid defensive pair
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They, at least, were better technicians on the ball. A midfield doesn't necessarily need to be fast but to construct one so slow and with 2/3 of it being average to poor on the ball is not a very good idea.
 
itso 7 said:
They, at least, were better technicians on the ball. A midfield doesn't necessarily need to be fast but to construct one so slow and with 2/3 of it being average to poor on the ball is not a very good idea.
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Remeber this is a Mourinho midfield, he's a defensive manager that I think would love that midfield pairing, it's not a lot different from the wanyama- Schniederlin midfield that made Morgan the best cm in the league last season. There's no reason why he couldn't rediscover that form if paired with a more defensive midfielder. We would also have other options in Herrera, schweinsteiger and possibly Carrick to change things up but this looks very much like a Mourinho big match midfield to me. The goals and creativity would come from the front 3 and fullbacks and they all have bags of pace that would stretch the game.
 
De Gea, Smalling, Shaw, Martial - Should be first choice starters next season.

Varela, Borthwick-Jackson, Fosu-Mensah, Rashford - Should be given plenty of games as they look like possible future stars.

Januzaj, Pereira, McNair, Tuanzebe, Weir, Wilson, Williams etc - Given a chance next season to prove themselves.

Darmian, Schneiderlinn, Memphis - Should be given a clean slate as they had LVG in charge and only after their first season with United.

Jones (One more season to prove himself) Blind, Valencia, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Young Lingard, Mata, Romero - Kept

Rojo, Fellaini, Powell, Rooney (Won't happen) - Sold

*Add our additions to this squad.
 
Hoping for a similar summer to 07-08

I'm hoping for a composed passing machine with exceptional technical ability.

A tricky and powerful right winger who can beat a man and get a good cross in.

A creative match winner capable of turning a game. Either a striker or a Cam

An intelligent CB with pace that's not injury prone and has big match experience and can clear a god damn freekick.
 
RikRuud said:
Hoping for a similar summer to 07-08

I'm hoping for a composed passing machine with exceptional technical ability.

A tricky and powerful right winger who can beat a man and get a good cross in.

A creative match winner capable of turning a game. Either a striker or a Cam

An intelligent CB with pace that's not injury prone and has big match experience and can clear a god damn freekick.
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Kroos tick
Mahrez tick
Mane tick
Stones tic (half tick)
And throw in Zlatan

Zlatan
Martial Mane Mahrez
Kroos Morgan
Shaw Stones Smalling Valencia
DDG

That is a strong team capable of causing mayhem to anyone
 
we were never first choice for Europe's elite players, with our recent lack of success and europa league qualifying prowess, the time shall come soon when we either have to be faster and smarter (not likely with the current regime) or splash the cash like the arab clubs and hope we get lucky. Terrible situation.
 
Lawman said:
Kroos tick
Mahrez tick
Mane tick
Stones tic (half tick)
And throw in Zlatan

Zlatan
Martial Mane Mahrez
Kroos Morgan
Shaw Stones Smalling Valencia
DDG

That is a strong team capable of causing mayhem to anyone
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European cup winner Kroos will laugh us off, Mahrez has CL and has offers from currently more successful clubs with just as much money as us with CL I'll bet, Mane (a less attractive player for the absolute top clubs right now) might have a big think and begrudgingly choose us for a bit of cash and we'll have acquired a 'handy player'... noone wants Stones anymore so there is that.
 
Kevin said:
European cup winner Kroos will laugh us off, Mahrez has CL and has offers from currently more successful clubs with just as much money as us with CL I'll bet, Mane (a less attractive player for the absolute top clubs right now) might have a big think and begrudgingly choose us for a bit of cash and we'll have acquired a 'handy player'... noone wants Stones anymore so there is that.
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Think your being a bit harsh all those players would jump through hoops to be here perhaps with exception of Kroos.
 
People won't be keen but apparently Wanyama only has a year left on his contract.

I'd get him in in a heart beat. A proper #6, and under him and Mourinho we could play him and Morgan in tough away games and be ridiculously solid in the middle.
 
Bwuk said:
People won't be keen but apparently Wanyama only has a year left on his contract.

I'd get him in in a heart beat. A proper #6, and under him and Mourinho we could play him and Morgan in tough away games and be ridiculously solid in the middle.
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Wanyama, Mane and Zlatan in. Would be paradise.
 
Bwuk said:
People won't be keen but apparently Wanyama only has a year left on his contract.

I'd get him in in a heart beat. A proper #6, and under him and Mourinho we could play him and Morgan in tough away games and be ridiculously solid in the middle.
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I think he'd be a great signing, would really toughen us up and free up Schneiderlin to play a bit more of a dynamic role, the role that he is more accustomed to. However, I think I would generally want to play Blind at centre back behind that midfield partnership, as we would need that ball playing ability to play through the lines and remove any creative burden from the midfield two (obviously you would probably want to drop Blind against a powerful forward, Carroll, Benteke etc).

We have to be looking to replace Carrick's ability eventually, but I feel that we may have to wait until we have CL football to find a worthy replacement (and it's a role that we can do without, or keep Carrick for another year).

We certainly need a pacey and tricky right winger, I would look at Mane as a realistic priority here.

Then we need to add goals. The emergence of Rashford has lessened the need for any kind of back up player, so we need to replace Rooney's goals, or more realistically, supplement them, as we know he's unlikely to find himself on the periphery of the team. The option then, is to find a new starting striker and play Rooney at #10, or play Rooney at #9 and find a goalscoring #10. My preference would be the latter, as James is seemingly available and I just love watching the guy play. He can also play wide right, which is a great bonus should we need to revert to a 4-3-3.

The emergence of Rashford and Fosu Mensah have really been a positive this season, and I'd hate to see their paths blocked at this stage. I'd also hope that Depay can come good under the correct guidance and a more attack minded coach. Let's hope so.



I'd move Rojo and Mata on if possible, so in terms of squad coverage, we'd have:

Goalkeeper - De Gea / Romero / Johnstone
Left Full Back - Shaw / Darmian / Borthwick-Jackson / Blind
Right Full Back - Valencia / Darmian / Varela / Fosu-Mensah
Centre Back - Blind / Smalling / ? / Fosu-Mensah / Jones / McNair
Holding Midfielder - Wanyama / Fosu-Mensah / Blind / Carrick
Central Midfielder - Schneiderlin / Schweinsteiger / Fellaini / Herrera
Attacking Midfielder - James / Rooney / Mane / Pereira / Herrera / Fellaini / Januzaj
Left Winger - Martial / Depay / Lingard / Mane / Januzaj
Right Winger - Mane / James / Lingard / Januzaj
Striker - Rooney / Rashford / Martial / Depay

This squad has a lot of variation, a lot of pace in attack, and a lot more of a goal threat. I would look to phase out Carrick and Schweinsteiger next season and hopefully, with the carrot of CL football, entice a real ball playing midfielder that can dictate games in the way that Modric/Kroos etc can.

EDIT: I wouldn't pass up the chance to buy Ibrahimovic, mind.
 
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I wouldn't mind us completely blowing our budget on a striker, a RW & a CB as long as what we get is genuine top quality.
 
Skills said:
I wouldn't mind us completely blowing our budget on a striker, a RW & a CB as long as what we get is genuine top quality.
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We should splash in midfield imo, don't think signing a striker is the issue. We should sign Ibra for 1+1 years, go for class players is midfield and leave the striker position for next season
 
MyOnlySolskjaer said:
img
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I like that team. Mainly because it's quality and realistic.

ST. I agree with you... Why spend 50m to buy a striker when we can have Zlatan for free 1 or 2 seasons.

RW. Dembele was my favorite option. But now that he signed for Dortmund there are not too many quality wingers left. I think Mahrez and Moura will stay in their teams where they'll play Champion League. Schalke is going to Europa like us, so Sane could be a good choice. We need a fast and direct player like him.

CAM. This position depends on Rooney staying or leaving. Griezmann would be by far my favorite signing. Unfortunately, he is unrealistic and it seems he wants to stay. James is a quality #10, and he could be available. So he is the best CAM we could sign. Also, he's good at freekicks and set pieces. At least we won't see Blind taking corners.

CM. I would like a young player like Saul in our midfield. I like his dynamism, he can attack and defend. Do you think he could be a better option than Kroos, Gundogan or Kante?

CB. I would prefer Varane, Laporte or even Marquinhos. But I guess they will continue in their clubs. Maybe Laporte could be available but I can see him going to City. Mustafi sounds realistic, he is better than Stones (and cheaper). How good is he in aerial duels?
 
More than anything, what we need is a new manager who gives confidence to the players but for the most part I agree that we need what we needed last summer.

RW, LW, a creative central midfielder, CB and a RB. I think Martial and Rashford have shown enough to deserve the no. 9 spot. Their return has been great considering the lack of chances they get.
 
Kevin said:
European cup winner Kroos will laugh us off, Mahrez has CL and has offers from currently more successful clubs with just as much money as us with CL I'll bet, Mane (a less attractive player for the absolute top clubs right now) might have a big think and begrudgingly choose us for a bit of cash and we'll have acquired a 'handy player'... noone wants Stones anymore so there is that.
Click to expand...

Neither should we if we want a functioning defence.
 
----------De Gea-----------
Valencia--Smalling--??--Shaw
----Schneiderlin--??------
-Mahrez--Rodriguez---Martial
--------Ibrahimovic-------

Ins:
Mahrez - £40 million
Rodriguez - £40 million
Ibrahimovic - Free
New CB - £30 million
New CM - £30 million
Total: £140 million.

Outs:
Rojo - £5 million
Darmian - £5 million
Rooney - £15 million
Fellaini - £10 million
Depay - £10 million
Jones - £10 million
Carrick - Free
Valdez - Free
Total: £60 million

Manager: Mourinho

This is probably the best case 'realistic' scenario i.e. de gea stays, mourinho joins, the likes of mahrez choose us over other clubs. Valencia and Schneiderlin need replacing too based on this season but we can't change everyone at once and hopefully Morgan can turn it around. It's about a £80 million net spend which I think is realistic for us.
 
In:

  • Ibrahimovic (free from PSG)
  • Mahrez (€65m from Leicester)
  • Joao Mario (€45m from Sporting)
  • Naingolan (€40m from Roma)
  • Stones (€40m from Everton)
Out:
  • Carrick
  • Jones
  • Mata
  • Januzaj (loan)
  • Pereira (loan)
  • McNair (loan)
Team for 2016-2017 (28 players)

Keepers:
De Gea, Romero, Johnstone
Defenders:
Smalling, Stones, Blind, Rojo, Poole, Fosu, Shaw, Darmian, Valencia, Varela, CBJ
Midfielders:
Nainggolan, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Rooney, Herrera, Joao Mario, Fellaini, Mahrez, Young, Lingard
Attackers:
Ibrahimovic, Martial, Rashford, Depay

Example of type A squad

160516163239.png


Example of a type B squad

160516164012.png
 
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