We don't need a CB. I'm happy to keep faith in Jones. We've seen that faith work wonders with Smalling, now let us try with Jones. We all know once his injury problems are removed (injuries are natural at such a young age) he will be a fantastic player.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
Griezeman, Laporte and a cm
With Schweinsteiger, Morgan and Carrick already here I'd say the midfield is well placed to blood in a young player so I'd prefer it if Van Gaal promoted both of them and gave them Cup appearances and cameos because the senior midfielders we have now have the capacity to carry a young player. Whilst the team needs results and trophies we need to consciously promote our youth to maintain our identity. This season Pearson is out on loan but I'd hate it if he left without getting a real chance here, same with Lingard and others.
For the summer there are only two players we should go all out for: Stones and Griezman. Memphis hasn't locked down the LW spot so Griezman could give us a significant upgrade whilst we wait for Rooney to feck off back to Scouseland. The right side, for me, should be reserved for Mata and our youth team graduates such as Januzaj, Lingard and Perreira. I think we should pursue a more sensible variant of Perez's "Zidanes and Pavons" policy - spend huge money on World Class starters and fill out the squad with youth e.g the likes of Valera get to be cover for RB, Pearson and Goss share the role of fourth CM, Perreira as second choice No.10 and fourth choice on the right, McNair as the fourth CB etc.
The best physio and fitness coaches in the business. A large supply of cotton wool too.
Neymar, a RB, a LB and maybe a striker if Rooney leaves.
I still think we could do with a striker and a winger. We have most positions covered with good enough quality players, but it depends on the progression of some of the younger players as to whether we need to invest in areas like central defence and central midfield in the next two seasons.
Carrick is either in his last or second-to-last season. Do we try and find a young holding midfield player to take over from Schweinsteiger when Schneiderlin becomes the mature head there? Or, do we hope that the next manager is happier to play with one holding player and settle for Blind or Jones as the last resorts? This would open up room for Herrera or Pereira in the centre more often for example.
I think Memphis will come good and stay out wide most of his career, but all our other options are either not true wingers or they're Ashley Young and Valencia... Who are fine as say a Plan B or C, but not starting for us in major games for the most-part. However, if Jesse Lingard is going to stay as a winger then can give him this season to try and cement a place in the squad. Should we still invest in an exciting wide player? What about Januzaj? I get the feeling that LvG is trying to give these kinds of players a bit of a chance to prove themselves before buying another winger.
I do think we definitely need to try and invest in another striker in the Summer if Wilson isn't going to be given much game-time.
For the most-part, I think we're in the same sort of position as Arsenal (as long as we keep de Gea). Very good squad with some exciting young players, but could probably do with one more body in defence, midfield, and attack. Perhaps three players off a great side who you'd class as genuine contenders for all honours in any season.
Carrick is either in his last or second-to-last season. Do we try and find a young holding midfield player to take over from Schweinsteiger when Schneiderlin becomes the mature head there? Or, do we hope that the next manager is happier to play with one holding player and settle for Blind or Jones as the last resorts? This would open up room for Herrera or Pereira in the centre more often for example.
I think Memphis will come good and stay out wide most of his career, but all our other options are either not true wingers or they're Ashley Young and Valencia... Who are fine as say a Plan B or C, but not starting for us in major games for the most-part. However, if Jesse Lingard is going to stay as a winger then can give him this season to try and cement a place in the squad. Should we still invest in an exciting wide player? What about Januzaj? I get the feeling that LvG is trying to give these kinds of players a bit of a chance to prove themselves before buying another winger.
I do think we definitely need to try and invest in another striker in the Summer if Wilson isn't going to be given much game-time.
For the most-part, I think we're in the same sort of position as Arsenal (as long as we keep de Gea). Very good squad with some exciting young players, but could probably do with one more body in defence, midfield, and attack. Perhaps three players off a great side who you'd class as genuine contenders for all honours in any season.
This
Griezmann and Gundogan.
DDG
Darmian - Smalling - Jones/Blind - Shaw
Schneiderlin
Mata - Herrera - Gundogan - Griezmann
Martial.
Oh la la!Darmian - Smalling - Jones/Blind - Shaw
Schneiderlin
Mata - Herrera - Gundogan - Griezmann
Martial.
We aren't getting two forwards unless we shift the decaying carcass of Rooney, in fact it'll be hard to attract a top forward as long as he's here with his privileges.
We need to keep midfield as a strong point and get Gundogan in, he can play in the double pivot or a midfield 3. I think this will be Carrick's last season.
We still need that CB partner for Smalling who can offer some silk to his steel. Laporte is seemingly off to Barcelona so it has to be Stones.
We need to keep midfield as a strong point and get Gundogan in, he can play in the double pivot or a midfield 3. I think this will be Carrick's last season.
We still need that CB partner for Smalling who can offer some silk to his steel. Laporte is seemingly off to Barcelona so it has to be Stones.
speakinf of 10s....Wijnauldum anyone?..(runs for cover)...
Too much like Herrera, I think. We'd be better off signing a real out and out attacker who can play out right as well, allowing Mata to play as a 10 or to play when Mata ain't there. Griezmann and Reus would seem the obvious names, though there are other plausible enough candidates.
Laporte: still need a quality/ reliable partner for Smalling and he'll be more straightforward than Stones to sign.
Gundogan: Carrick is old. Will be 35 at the end of the season. Although he's still decent, I think we should move him on if we have the opportunity to bring Ilkay.
Griezmann: all round attacker with pace and can get goals. He's transformed himself to LVG's kind of No 10 imo. Can also play on both wings.
Gundogan: Carrick is old. Will be 35 at the end of the season. Although he's still decent, I think we should move him on if we have the opportunity to bring Ilkay.
Griezmann: all round attacker with pace and can get goals. He's transformed himself to LVG's kind of No 10 imo. Can also play on both wings.
What we do need is to sell Rooney at some point, preferrably next summer. Then put Mata in his position and buy a right winger who has lots of goals in him. My dream is that we buy Hulk, but I know most of you guys think he's shit so no need to reply to me saying he's shit. Someone like Griezmann would be nice too obviously, but how is he on the right wing?
Carrick needs replacing sooner rather than later. Granit Xhaka seems interesting doesn't he? I haven't watched him enough to say 'he is the man' though.
Otherwise, unless Jones improves and stays injury free throughout most of the season, we could do with splashing on Laporte.
Carrick needs replacing sooner rather than later. Granit Xhaka seems interesting doesn't he? I haven't watched him enough to say 'he is the man' though.
Otherwise, unless Jones improves and stays injury free throughout most of the season, we could do with splashing on Laporte.
Think all we need is a wide attacker, or out and out striker. Someone like Griezmann would be the muppet dream, but I'd be OK with Mane coming in in January just to bolster the squad.
I would say we still need,
* 2 x Attackers - we can't be playing Wayne Rooney if we want to launch a proper title challenge. Nearly everything bounces 10 yards off his shin and when he does actually manage to get the ball under control it takes him so long to get his head up and find a pass that it slows our attacks down to a crawl. Martial looks great but we can't play a whole season with just one recognised striker.
Solution - Griezmann is a no-brainer, Utd fan, reasonable release clause and can play anywhere across the front. The second attacker I am not so sure about but for me I would say Mane would be a good option. Absolutely rapid, strong and very direct, should be available for around £25m. Neither of these players are "9's", but both are versatile enough to play anywhere across the front 4.
* 1 x CM - Carrick is 35, Schweinsteiger 31, Herrera is better deployed further forward imo. I would say we should be looking to sign a CM now rather than being forced into potentially making panic buys in a season or two when we realise we have left it to late.
Solution - I would like Gundogan, would appear to fit in very well with "the philosophy" but would he leave Dortmund? I also like Koke at Atletico, every time I have seen him he has been unbelievably good.
* 2 x Attackers - we can't be playing Wayne Rooney if we want to launch a proper title challenge. Nearly everything bounces 10 yards off his shin and when he does actually manage to get the ball under control it takes him so long to get his head up and find a pass that it slows our attacks down to a crawl. Martial looks great but we can't play a whole season with just one recognised striker.
Solution - Griezmann is a no-brainer, Utd fan, reasonable release clause and can play anywhere across the front. The second attacker I am not so sure about but for me I would say Mane would be a good option. Absolutely rapid, strong and very direct, should be available for around £25m. Neither of these players are "9's", but both are versatile enough to play anywhere across the front 4.
* 1 x CM - Carrick is 35, Schweinsteiger 31, Herrera is better deployed further forward imo. I would say we should be looking to sign a CM now rather than being forced into potentially making panic buys in a season or two when we realise we have left it to late.
Solution - I would like Gundogan, would appear to fit in very well with "the philosophy" but would he leave Dortmund? I also like Koke at Atletico, every time I have seen him he has been unbelievably good.
I hope we activate Griezman's release clause in January. Around £50m for a player of his quality and age is a very fair price in today's market.
@Invictus Made a good point in the Barkley thread, when it comes to adding to our attack we don't need any more work in progress youngsters, we need a proven quality forward added to the attack. I'm sure the United board would love Bale and LvG would love Muller but neither are likely to happen, so I think Griezmann is the clear stand out option, more so than Reus who is often injured and I think could end up like Di Maria in the PL as he seems wary of that physical side of things here.
Starting to think we just need 15-16 genuinely class players to compete with the Big 3 in Europe. Then youngsters and committed, loyal and versatile players like Valencia, Jones and Young as depth rounding out the squad.
16 players (11 first choice + 2 attackers, 2 midfielders, one CB, one fullback and one more player, normally a midfielder of some kind depending on your manager's wants).
Right now, I'd say we have the following players who are good enough or will more likely than not become good enough to be part of that 16 to compete with the Big 3 in Europe, assuming we don't count Carrick due to age and Rooney for obvious reasons.
I'm giving Darmian and Memphis the benefit of the doubt because they have clear strengths, are starters for the Dutch and Italians, are probably just experiencing growing pains after their first real move (Darmian had a few games outside of Torino early on). Blind gets the benefit of the doubt because he's basically been a 7/10 everywhere he's been used and is still just 25 and gaining experience at the 3 positions he plays.
Attack (3) - Martial, Memphis, Mata
Midfield (3) - Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Schneiderlin
Defense (4) - Shaw, Smalling, Blind, Darmian
Keeper - De Gea
That's 11.
And for the other 5, hopefully one of Januzaj/Wilson/Pereira emerges as a serious attacking option. That would leave us to add another attacker, another CM and a CB to have a complete squad.
At that point, upgrades can be considered depending on who's performing. But we basically need the summer Citeh just had in signing 3 stars with multiple years left in Sterling, De Bruyne and Otamendi, except one of those 2 attackers should be a box to box midfielder to allow us to go 4-3-3 more, and because we don't have anyone likely coming through in central midfield but we do have those 3 young attackers with serious promise.
TLDR: Griezmann, Gundogan and a top CB and we'll be really, really good.
16 players (11 first choice + 2 attackers, 2 midfielders, one CB, one fullback and one more player, normally a midfielder of some kind depending on your manager's wants).
Right now, I'd say we have the following players who are good enough or will more likely than not become good enough to be part of that 16 to compete with the Big 3 in Europe, assuming we don't count Carrick due to age and Rooney for obvious reasons.
I'm giving Darmian and Memphis the benefit of the doubt because they have clear strengths, are starters for the Dutch and Italians, are probably just experiencing growing pains after their first real move (Darmian had a few games outside of Torino early on). Blind gets the benefit of the doubt because he's basically been a 7/10 everywhere he's been used and is still just 25 and gaining experience at the 3 positions he plays.
Attack (3) - Martial, Memphis, Mata
Midfield (3) - Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Schneiderlin
Defense (4) - Shaw, Smalling, Blind, Darmian
Keeper - De Gea
That's 11.
And for the other 5, hopefully one of Januzaj/Wilson/Pereira emerges as a serious attacking option. That would leave us to add another attacker, another CM and a CB to have a complete squad.
At that point, upgrades can be considered depending on who's performing. But we basically need the summer Citeh just had in signing 3 stars with multiple years left in Sterling, De Bruyne and Otamendi, except one of those 2 attackers should be a box to box midfielder to allow us to go 4-3-3 more, and because we don't have anyone likely coming through in central midfield but we do have those 3 young attackers with serious promise.
TLDR: Griezmann, Gundogan and a top CB and we'll be really, really good.
Just buy Griezmann and Aubameyang and create a blistering front 3 with them and Martial! 
GK: DDG, Romero, Johnstone
RB: Darmian, Bryam
LB: Shaw, Jonny
CB: Smalling, Sule, Gimenez, Jones
DM: Bastian, Leon Goretzka
CM: Schneiderlin, Blind
AMC: Herrera, Mata
AMR: Mane, Januzaj, Periera
AML: Depay, Young
STK: Martial, Aubameyang, Wilson
Explanation
Bryam - a promising fullback who can play on the flanks, he will be on a free next year.
Jonny - he's a solid full back and he's very versatile (RB - LB). He will allow us to release Darmian if we need him as LB + he will act as cover/competitor for Shaw if we need him
Sule - at 6.5ft he provides plenty of aerial cover and would therefore allow us with shorter CBs as partners. I see him as the ideal cover/competitor for Smalling
Gimenez - I've seen him a couple of times and he seems to be the real deal. He's comfortable with the ball and he's quite solid at the back. He's solid enough to give us assurances at the back however he's not a big name that would kill Jones chances of making it once and for all
Goretzka- a solid and versatile DM. He will relish working and learning from Bastian and will be a good replacement for Carrick
Mane - RW may not be his best role but he'll certainly add pace to the team
Aubameyang - once again Im stressing on pace. Similar to Mane he's also quite versatile which means that if Martial is able to keep up scoring goals for fun than we can move Aubameyang as LW.
RB: Darmian, Bryam
LB: Shaw, Jonny
CB: Smalling, Sule, Gimenez, Jones
DM: Bastian, Leon Goretzka
CM: Schneiderlin, Blind
AMC: Herrera, Mata
AMR: Mane, Januzaj, Periera
AML: Depay, Young
STK: Martial, Aubameyang, Wilson
Explanation
Bryam - a promising fullback who can play on the flanks, he will be on a free next year.
Jonny - he's a solid full back and he's very versatile (RB - LB). He will allow us to release Darmian if we need him as LB + he will act as cover/competitor for Shaw if we need him
Sule - at 6.5ft he provides plenty of aerial cover and would therefore allow us with shorter CBs as partners. I see him as the ideal cover/competitor for Smalling
Gimenez - I've seen him a couple of times and he seems to be the real deal. He's comfortable with the ball and he's quite solid at the back. He's solid enough to give us assurances at the back however he's not a big name that would kill Jones chances of making it once and for all
Goretzka- a solid and versatile DM. He will relish working and learning from Bastian and will be a good replacement for Carrick
Mane - RW may not be his best role but he'll certainly add pace to the team
Aubameyang - once again Im stressing on pace. Similar to Mane he's also quite versatile which means that if Martial is able to keep up scoring goals for fun than we can move Aubameyang as LW.
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Victor Osimhen
We need to hire a master hypnotist in order to turn our players into confident men rather than the pussies they can often be.
I think it's pretty obvious that names aside and ignoring other positions, we need a couple of fast, versatile, creative attacking players in the summer.
A center back.
A Greizmann or a Muller or a Reus or a Bale.
A central midfielder with excellent passing ability; a Verratti or a Gundogan.
Possibly a new manager.
A Greizmann or a Muller or a Reus or a Bale.
A central midfielder with excellent passing ability; a Verratti or a Gundogan.
Possibly a new manager.
Herrera....Morgan
Pereira.........Goss
Mata
Januzaj
Bale...........................................Reus
Wilson....................................Martial
Pato
Memphis
We need to rebuild for today and tomorrow, if it means a new manager to do so, so be it.Pereira.........Goss
Mata
Januzaj
Bale...........................................Reus
Wilson....................................Martial
Pato
Memphis
Carrick, Bastian, Fellaini, Young + Lingard (age) not good enough, sell.
We have built up a very good squad. We need a couple of players in the next 2 windows, and a manager who can get the best out of them. LvG can once again take the credit for building the squad if he wants, but a better manager will win the trophies.
A wing forward like Felipe Anderson, griezmann. Another potentially world class striker or a number ten. Someone like Kane would be good who can do a bit of both. And a world class centre back to partner Smalling, Laporte maybe.
This is tough to argue with. The team could then play 4-3-3 with both Herrera and Gundogan/Verrati at CM in front of Schneiderlin (or Schweinsteiger) or 4-2-3-1 quite comfortably, with Mata or Herrera as the 10.
I think the priority order is:
1 - Attacker - Position is important, but basically Martial and Mata are good enough and we need a 3rd attacker signed to join them and hopefully (and I believe) Memphis will complete things.
2 - Central Midfielder - Right now, to play 4-3-3, which often looks our best option, it's either Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger pushed up or Fellaini playing. Carrick may well be done as anything but a depth option after this year.
3 - LCB - Smalling is an obvious starter and Blind and Jones are very good backups. A starter next to Smalling makes sense, but if Shaw is back and Rojo and Blind are freed up a year of Jones-Smalling or Blind-Smalling with the other and Rojo and McNair as backups isn't horrific. Would make a Smalling injury truly horrid to contemplate.
A top attacker like Antoine Greizman. Just like Arsenal, I feel we just need this one signing and we will look like a well balanced team. We need to work on our team chemistry more so than we need more signing.
De Gea/Johnstone
Darmien/Valencia - Smalling/McNair - Jones/Blind - Shaw/Rojo
Schneiderlin/Schweinsteiger - Herrera/Carrick
Griezman/Lingard - Mata/Peiera - Depay/Januzaj
Martial/Wilson
Fringe: Young, Fellaini, Rooney,etcDarmien/Valencia - Smalling/McNair - Jones/Blind - Shaw/Rojo
Schneiderlin/Schweinsteiger - Herrera/Carrick
Griezman/Lingard - Mata/Peiera - Depay/Januzaj
Martial/Wilson
1) Pace and skill in attack, 2) creativity in midfield. That's the two main issues for me. Defense is decent enough, especially with Shaw coming back. I think we need 2-3 players, 4 with another defender if Jones/Blind/Rojo don't cut it as partners for Smalling.
We could use a CB next to Smalling, i like Jones but with those two their lack of ball playing abilities are going to hurt us. I don't think there is many options if we only looking at left footers, Laporte is the obvious one but apparently Barca want him. If LvG would entertain the idea of two right footed players Stones should definitely be pushed for.
Schweinsteiger and Carrick are both old, ideally i would see Carrick leaving and getting a young midfielder that is able to dictate play - Gundogan or Tielemans would be nice.
The jury is still out on Depay, if we want to win the title next year we have to look at getting a star on the wings - Reus would be fantastic.
LvG likes a second striker behind the striker so that is one area we definitely need to improve since we have none - Mane, Griezmann and the unrealistic options would be Bale and Muller.
So yeah, that's about 100 million or maybe even more. We are still some way from being a top class side.
Schweinsteiger and Carrick are both old, ideally i would see Carrick leaving and getting a young midfielder that is able to dictate play - Gundogan or Tielemans would be nice.
The jury is still out on Depay, if we want to win the title next year we have to look at getting a star on the wings - Reus would be fantastic.
LvG likes a second striker behind the striker so that is one area we definitely need to improve since we have none - Mane, Griezmann and the unrealistic options would be Bale and Muller.
So yeah, that's about 100 million or maybe even more. We are still some way from being a top class side.
DdG
Damo Smalling Laporte Shaw
Schneiderlin Tielemans
Mata Mane Reus
Martial
Looks good.
Damo Smalling Laporte Shaw
Schneiderlin Tielemans
Mata Mane Reus
Martial
Looks good.
Personally I'd prefer Griezmann to Reus, I think he looks physically stronger and more tenacious, I'd worry that Reus would end up like Di Maria after getting hit a few times. I also think we need someone to compete with Memphis on the other wing as I don't reckon Pereira is all that suited to playing wide.
After the attack is sorted I think adding another CM to replace Carrick as a double pivot option is the next priority with Gundogan head and shoulders the best option. As for the defense, I don't see Jones or Blind as long term partner for Smalling but we'll see how the rest of the season goes.
After the attack is sorted I think adding another CM to replace Carrick as a double pivot option is the next priority with Gundogan head and shoulders the best option. As for the defense, I don't see Jones or Blind as long term partner for Smalling but we'll see how the rest of the season goes.
LVG seems to want to add to the squad in January .But realistically who would be available.
We need Griezmann and Kane 100%. Perhaps another CB option to be a proper partner to Smalling too. I still have faith in Darmian to come good at RB, Shaw will be back at LB next year and De Gea will hopefully still be here too. The Schmidfield is great with herrera and the aforementioned front 2 added to Herrera/Memphis/young would be spectacular options.
Excuse the player name typo
Excuse the player name typo
We need a lot more than I'd like to admit.
We need more cm cover. If we're going to play two deeper CMs we need another player for that position. Carrick is getting on and schweinstiger isn't young either.
We need a versatile forward. Mane would be ideal. Someone that can play across the front. At the very least we need someone who can play wide right and fill in on the left as necessary.
We need a striker, but if we get a player like Mane then I'm fine with getting a reserve player and letting Martial make CF his own spot.
We need another CB. I'd love Laporte. Let him, Jones, and Smalling compete for the starting two spots and we have Blind and Rojo that can fill in as well as a young McNair.
A fullback wouldn't hurt. Perhaps this position seems more pressing than it is because of Shaw's injury. Getting another full time CB would also give us more depth here as Blind and and Rojo can be Shaw's backup.
All in all, I don't think we can afford the summer 2016 window to be as quiet as Woodward would like. Given our needs I'd love to see us snag mane in January and then focus on a CB and CM in the summer and possibly CF depending on if Rooney improves and Wilson develops. Very worried about CM next year, though. If schneiderlein gets injured we'd be in a very tough spot with only two, 30+ players, suited to play in the two in front of the defense
We need more cm cover. If we're going to play two deeper CMs we need another player for that position. Carrick is getting on and schweinstiger isn't young either.
We need a versatile forward. Mane would be ideal. Someone that can play across the front. At the very least we need someone who can play wide right and fill in on the left as necessary.
We need a striker, but if we get a player like Mane then I'm fine with getting a reserve player and letting Martial make CF his own spot.
We need another CB. I'd love Laporte. Let him, Jones, and Smalling compete for the starting two spots and we have Blind and Rojo that can fill in as well as a young McNair.
A fullback wouldn't hurt. Perhaps this position seems more pressing than it is because of Shaw's injury. Getting another full time CB would also give us more depth here as Blind and and Rojo can be Shaw's backup.
All in all, I don't think we can afford the summer 2016 window to be as quiet as Woodward would like. Given our needs I'd love to see us snag mane in January and then focus on a CB and CM in the summer and possibly CF depending on if Rooney improves and Wilson develops. Very worried about CM next year, though. If schneiderlein gets injured we'd be in a very tough spot with only two, 30+ players, suited to play in the two in front of the defense
We need a Xavi, Schneiderlin and Herrera can play the roles of Biscuits and Iniesta. Schweinsteiger can certainly fill the bill short term though.
We need someone to score from wide positions.
We need someone to score from wide positions.
I think the key now is to realise that we have the basis of a great team; if we want to win trophies next season we have to supplement what we already have and add a couple of top quality players to take us up a level. My belief is that we should not be bringing in 5-6 players, as that'll lead to another transitional season where half of our team is adapting to the system and potentially a new Country as well.
My choice would be to bring in a wide forward player and a playmaker (or two wide player's with Mata moving predominantly to the number 10 position):
GK: De Gea / Romero
LB: Shaw / Rojo
LCB: Jones / Blind
RCB: Smalling / McNair
RB: Darmian / Valencia
Number 6: Schweinsteiger / Schneiderlin
Number 8: Herrera
Number 10: New playmaker
Wide right: Mata / New forward
Wide left: Depay / Young
Striker: Martial
Naturally because of the versatility of the squad Schneiderlin could cover the number 8 position, Blind could cover the number 6 or LB positions, Mata/Herrera could cover the number 10 position, Rojo could cover the LCB position and Depay could cover the wide right position.
The "new forward" player would be someone who can operate wide or central, in the Greizmann mould. They'd primarily compete with Mata/Young/Depay for the wide positions, but would also deputise for Martial when he's rested/injured. The "new play-maker" would be someone in the Isco/Koke mould, who would predominantly play behind Martial, but again would also be able to deputise as an inside forward. Alternatively Mata is great in this role so you could have someone such as Reus/Mane come in and have Mata play behind Martial predominantly.
I would have two first team players leaving in Rooney and Fellaini, with two of these much better players coming in. The likes of Lingard, Wilson, Pereira, Powell etc would be either loaned, sold or kept purely as a backup option.
My choice would be to bring in a wide forward player and a playmaker (or two wide player's with Mata moving predominantly to the number 10 position):
GK: De Gea / Romero
LB: Shaw / Rojo
LCB: Jones / Blind
RCB: Smalling / McNair
RB: Darmian / Valencia
Number 6: Schweinsteiger / Schneiderlin
Number 8: Herrera
Number 10: New playmaker
Wide right: Mata / New forward
Wide left: Depay / Young
Striker: Martial
Naturally because of the versatility of the squad Schneiderlin could cover the number 8 position, Blind could cover the number 6 or LB positions, Mata/Herrera could cover the number 10 position, Rojo could cover the LCB position and Depay could cover the wide right position.
The "new forward" player would be someone who can operate wide or central, in the Greizmann mould. They'd primarily compete with Mata/Young/Depay for the wide positions, but would also deputise for Martial when he's rested/injured. The "new play-maker" would be someone in the Isco/Koke mould, who would predominantly play behind Martial, but again would also be able to deputise as an inside forward. Alternatively Mata is great in this role so you could have someone such as Reus/Mane come in and have Mata play behind Martial predominantly.
I would have two first team players leaving in Rooney and Fellaini, with two of these much better players coming in. The likes of Lingard, Wilson, Pereira, Powell etc would be either loaned, sold or kept purely as a backup option.
CB -- Id like Stones to partner Smalling. Jones doesnt seem to be stepping up and is abit injury prone.
CM -- Take a punt on a young "wonderkid" CM to learn from the Schmidfield and phase in to replace Carrick. I havent seen enough of all the names thrown around, but Tielemans and Bazoer seem the 2 mostly mentioned this year. We have spare cash and could use a young CM to grow into the squad. Pogba looked like being that guy years ago, he hasnt been replaced yet.
Attacker -- A world class attacking player, with pace and ability to beat people to play either left or right wing. Then id bring Mata into #10 with Herrera
Ideally then -- Stones/Laporte - Tielemans/Bozoer - Bale/Greizmann/Neymar/etc
CM -- Take a punt on a young "wonderkid" CM to learn from the Schmidfield and phase in to replace Carrick. I havent seen enough of all the names thrown around, but Tielemans and Bazoer seem the 2 mostly mentioned this year. We have spare cash and could use a young CM to grow into the squad. Pogba looked like being that guy years ago, he hasnt been replaced yet.
Attacker -- A world class attacking player, with pace and ability to beat people to play either left or right wing. Then id bring Mata into #10 with Herrera
Ideally then -- Stones/Laporte - Tielemans/Bozoer - Bale/Greizmann/Neymar/etc
I think LvG is trying to build a solid team, starting with a functional defence and midfield. He's finally got that this season.
What he wants up front is three attackers who can create something out of nothing whilst the rest of the side concentrate on nullifying the opposition. We've got Martial, so that's one of the three. I think we need two more attackers, both of whom have pace and are comfortable in tight areas.
It's not so much about the quality of our transfer targets as the way in which they can pose a threat to opponents who are set up for our style of play. It's why I think Mane would be a bad fit, despite otherwise being good enough for a top 4 side.
A first choice of, say:
Fekir-Martial-Griezmann
Backed up by:
Memphis-Rooney-Mata
Would be good enough to compete for the CL.
What he wants up front is three attackers who can create something out of nothing whilst the rest of the side concentrate on nullifying the opposition. We've got Martial, so that's one of the three. I think we need two more attackers, both of whom have pace and are comfortable in tight areas.
It's not so much about the quality of our transfer targets as the way in which they can pose a threat to opponents who are set up for our style of play. It's why I think Mane would be a bad fit, despite otherwise being good enough for a top 4 side.
A first choice of, say:
Fekir-Martial-Griezmann
Backed up by:
Memphis-Rooney-Mata
Would be good enough to compete for the CL.
A CB - stones, laporte or marquinhos
A young CM - Ruben neves, tielemans, basket or samper if we want a cheaper option.
Keep hold of de gea and I think adding and a cm and a cb leaves us looking pretty good in both midfield and defence. It's up front where the real problems start, I think we need two new forwards easily and need to make some big decisions in terms of who is moved on to make room for them. I would go for mane in January, griezmann in the summer and build an attack around martial.
A young CM - Ruben neves, tielemans, basket or samper if we want a cheaper option.
Keep hold of de gea and I think adding and a cm and a cb leaves us looking pretty good in both midfield and defence. It's up front where the real problems start, I think we need two new forwards easily and need to make some big decisions in terms of who is moved on to make room for them. I would go for mane in January, griezmann in the summer and build an attack around martial.