What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.

Obviously we need a Right winger, and a CB (can wait until summer), but surely even as early as January a CF is pretty important, Rooney needs benching or trying in the number 10 role so he doesn't count, Wilson has no chance right now, so it's just Martial which is ridiculous.

January is a nightmare to buy in, but I do think we'll have to do something.
 
C'est Moi Cantona said:
Obviously we need a Right winger, and a CB (can wait until summer), but surely even as early as January a CF is pretty important, Rooney needs benching or trying in the number 10 role so he doesn't count, Wilson has no chance right now, so it's just Martial which is ridiculous.

January is a nightmare to buy in, but I do think we'll have to do something.
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Fairly sure we'd be able to get Embolo from Basle in January. He wouldn't be able to play internationally, but could help a lot domestically.

I'm starting to think we need another right-back with Darmian being a very good option, but I am not sure whether he can have a career like Denis Irwin with us. Valencia is doing well in some games and in others he is defensively a problem. It's probably the least of our problems though. Tete from Ajax looks a good option there.
 
bucky said:
Fairly sure we'd be able to get Embolo from Basle in January. He wouldn't be able to play internationally, but could help a lot domestically.

I'm starting to think we need another right-back with Darmian being a very good option, but I am not sure whether he can have a career like Denis Irwin with us. Valencia is doing well in some games and in others he is defensively a problem. It's probably the least of our problems though. Tete from Ajax looks a good option there.
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Are we even linked? I'd be content with a right winger in January tbh, just don't think we'll get Mane then, Anderson is fair more realistic if the links are genuine.
 
C'est Moi Cantona said:
Are we even linked? I'd be content with a right winger in January tbh, just don't think we'll get Mane then, Anderson is fair more realistic if the links are genuine.
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Supposedly all the big clubs in Europe are tracking him. There weren't any links regarding Martial either and the media haven't had a clue about our transfer activities for a while now, so I'm hopeful.
 
bucky said:
Fairly sure we'd be able to get Embolo from Basle in January. He wouldn't be able to play internationally, but could help a lot domestically.

I'm starting to think we need another right-back with Darmian being a very good option, but I am not sure whether he can have a career like Denis Irwin with us. Valencia is doing well in some games and in others he is defensively a problem. It's probably the least of our problems though. Tete from Ajax looks a good option there.
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I know you rate Embolo and I like what I've seen, but I don't know if adding more kids is the way to go, I think we need to add a couple of finished articles to our forward line.

Tete looks good but isn't he a CB just filling in as a RB?
 
I'm still in the same boat I was in before. We need a winger with pace, and ideally a top class one. Reus/Griezmann (even if he doesn't play much on the wings these days), Bale would be perfect for that. Obviously need some back up for the striker position, more then 1 reliable goalscorer.
 
Devil may care said:
I know you rate Embolo and I like what I've seen, but I don't know if adding more kids is the way to go, I think we need to add a couple of finished articles to our forward line.

Tete looks good but isn't he a CB just filling in as a RB?
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I loosely agree with that, I just think it's the best we can do to actually improve in January short-term and long-term. He isn't the only player I'd like us to sign for our attack, but the finished articles will probably not be available in January. Plus, I don't think there are that many strikers to choose from. The best ones are already at the best clubs and from the talented forwards he's the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of potential IMO. One of those you should be making sure not to miss out on. Don't think Morata will be available anytime soon, Kane and Lukaku would cost a fortune compared to him, while they are not as talented in my eyes. Also, I don't see any chance of Müller leaving Munich. Griezmann and Aubameyang could be attainable next summer and are possibly our best bets. The decline of Rooney and our lack of options always required more than one player to come in IMO.

I think you mean Riedewald on the other side. He can play left-back and centre-back.
 
bucky said:
I loosely agree with that, I just think it's the best we can do to actually improve in January short-term and long-term. He isn't the only player I'd like us to sign for our attack, but the finished articles will probably not be available in January. Plus, I don't think there are that many strikers to choose from. The best ones are already at the best clubs and from the talented forwards he's the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of potential IMO. One of those you should be making sure not to miss out on. Don't think Morata will be available anytime soon, Kane and Lukaku would cost a fortune compared to him, while they are not as talented in my eyes. Also, I don't see any chance of Müller leaving Munich. Griezmann and Aubameyang could be attainable next summer and are possibly our best bets. The decline of Rooney and our lack of options always required more than one player to come in IMO.

I think you mean Riedewald on the other side. He can play left-back and centre-back.
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You rate him that highly? I just wonder if he'd make much of a difference in January as the step up is pretty huge as Memphis is finding out. I also wonder about whether him and Martial would be in each others way as Embolo is primarily a #9 playing on the right?

I might be mistaken, but did Tete play as a CB in the recent game against PSV though?
 
Devil may care said:
You rate him that highly? I just wonder if he'd make much of a difference in January as the step up is pretty huge as Memphis is finding out. I also wonder about whether him and Martial would be in each others way as Embolo is primarily a #9 playing on the right?

I might be mistaken, but did Tete play as a CB in the recent game against PSV though?
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I do now. I've watched him a fair bit the last 6 months or so and to me he looks as talented as Martial. I don't think they would get in each others way. As van Gaal said, Martial can play as the striker, the secondary striker, on the left and on the right. Embolo is a striker, but similar to Martial he seems comfortable wide and he's also able to create. Since they are both young, I'd imagine a good manager would be able to manage their time. Currently I worry that we play Martial too much, simply because we have no other choice and I think Embolo could relieve some of that burden on Martial's shoulders. Somehow I am more confident about him having an impact immediately than I was with Memphis in the summer. Don't get me wrong I wanted us to sign Memphis, but it always seemed likely that he'd struggle in his first season. Who'd you sign to improve us in January?

I think he played there in a back three against Roda, didn't see the game against PSV though.

http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/956956/Live
 
Yeah I still think we need atleast 2 wide/attacking players. Mane and Felipe Anderson would be magic. Fellaini should be gone imo
 
Added central midfielder and right-back to the post from page 1, so that brings up the number of incoming transfers to a total of 5.

The candidates for central midfield have been addressed elsewhere, but the right-back position could prove to be more problematic. Big fan of Darmian, he needs some time to settle, but it wouldn't hurt us to supplement that with a quality, young right-back who's more adept in the offensive phase of the game (kinda like how we added Evra to a position of relative strength in Heinze). Valencia has his uses, but between him and Matteo, there's not a lot of attacking threat down the right flank in terms of the final ball. That needs to be addressed otherwise teams with keep smothering Mata, or whoever is playing ahead of them.

Ideally Varela would've been given a chance, but his development has completely stalled for 2+ seasons. In the absence of any standout candidates, this guy would fit the bill perfectly: https://www.redcafe.net/threads/joão-cancelo.403852/.

Young enough to bide his time as a sub, but with enough talent to be a complete right-back in 2-3 seasons. Been really good for Valencia this season considering his age, and just scratching the surface of his potential. Valencia bought him for €15 million after a season long loan, maybe we could get him for €20-24 million, and really fortify the defense further. The Jorge Mendes connection wouldn't hurt, as much as I'd loathe to do business with the man. In 2-3 seasons, maybe he will go for €40-45 million considering Danilo cost Real Madrid €32 million from Porto. We should target more players like him, who're just on the brink before their transfer fee balloons up further. Valencia could be the next Atletico Madrid, polishing diamonds (a lot of them Mendes clients), and moving them on for incredible amounts of money.

Iván López is another good young right-back who's suffering in a desperate team. If Levante end up getting relegated (dead last in the La Liga right now), he could be available for peanuts. Not as good of a prospect as Cancelo, bit on the smaller side, but really good in attack and particularly dribbling from deeper areas. He'd be a perfect complement to Darmian, rather than an eventual replacement (which Cancelo would probably end up being). Fabinho is also good option, but more of a defender right now.
 
    • If we had 3 Martials, we'd be top of the league :drool:.

    • To be fair, the future is bright. We have Smalling, Shaw, Schneiderlin,Depay, Pereira, Martial, De Gea and Januzaj. These will be the core players for the next 5 years or so I would imagine. We have two of the best talents in the world in Shaw and Martial, who I believe will end up as potentially "world class" players. Still have high hopes for Depay and Januzaj as well, although both players still have to prove consistency in their play. We lack two creative players up front in order to compete on all fronts in my opinion.

      Best case scenario, we end with this next summer (Might be wishful thinking)

      ----------------------De Gea---------------------
      Darmian------Smalling----Stones-----Shaw

      -----------Schneiderlin------Schweinsteiger----

      Mata----------Pereira/Januzaj----------Griezmann
      -----------------Martial--------------------

      Would add another tricky winger to that in the mould of Douglas Costa and we're set. 3 key signings and we're more than set in my opinion. Maybe replace Carrick next season unless somebody from our youth steps up? We should break the bank for Griezmann, this signing makes too much sense. Covers 2 positions where we lack quality at the moment and is probably one of the most talented wingers around.
 
bucky said:
I do now. I've watched him a fair bit the last 6 months or so and to me he looks as talented as Martial. I don't think they would get in each others way. As van Gaal said, Martial can play as the striker, the secondary striker, on the left and on the right. Embolo is a striker, but similar to Martial he seems comfortable wide and he's also able to create. Since they are both young, I'd imagine a good manager would be able to manage their time. Currently I worry that we play Martial too much, simply because we have no other choice and I think Embolo could relieve some of that burden on Martial's shoulders. Somehow I am more confident about him having an impact immediately than I was with Memphis in the summer. Don't get me wrong I wanted us to sign Memphis, but it always seemed likely that he'd struggle in his first season. Who'd you sign to improve us in January?

I think he played there in a back three against Roda, didn't see the game against PSV though.

http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/956956/Live
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I honestly don't know who we should buy mate, I know we need two forwards added to this team if we are going to become a real force at the top again, but recruiting in January is really difficult. Maybe Embolo can be an answer, if he's versatile him and Martial being able to switch roles would be a bonus. I do feel what we really need is some top level proven quality added to the youngsters we have in our attacking options, but I recognize that is nearly impossible in January.
 
El-Manos said:
    • If we had 3 Martials, we'd be top of the league :drool:.

    • To be fair, the future is bright. We have Smalling, Shaw, Schneiderlin,Depay, Pereira, Martial, De Gea and Januzaj. These will be the core players for the next 5 years or so I would imagine. We have two of the best talents in the world in Shaw and Martial, who I believe will end up as potentially "world class" players. Still have high hopes for Depay and Januzaj as well, although both players still have to prove consistency in their play. We lack two creative players up front in order to compete on all fronts in my opinion.

      Best case scenario, we end with this next summer (Might be wishful thinking)

      ----------------------De Gea---------------------
      Darmian------Smalling----Stones-----Shaw

      -----------Schneiderlin------Schweinsteiger----

      Mata----------Pereira/Januzaj----------Griezmann
      -----------------Martial--------------------

      Would add another tricky winger to that in the mould of Douglas Costa and we're set. 3 key signings and we're more than set in my opinion. Maybe replace Carrick next season unless somebody from our youth steps up? We should break the bank for Griezmann, this signing makes too much sense. Covers 2 positions where we lack quality at the moment and is probably one of the most talented wingers around.
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Depay, Pereria, Januzaj have done very little to suggest they will be core players for the future United team.

I agree on Griezmann and Stones though.
 
We need 2 attackers, and that will make us a really really good side in my opinion. We are not a million miles away.
 
Seeing Bayern tonight has convinced me that we need better wide options. I look at our options there and I see Memphis - who is still extremely raw and inconsistent (which would be fine if we had more options there, and there wasnt so much pressure on him to be an instant success), and Mata, who frankly I do not like or rate out wide.

Assuming Januzaj comes back from loan, I would say we need to go all-out for a top quality winger next summer, and a striker/#10 type such as Muller.

Martial, Memphis, Januzaj, as well as a top quality winger and a #10/striker, would look like a very good set of players to form the core of our attack for the foreseeable future.
 
We are clearly lacking depth up front, but I for one am happy that we didn't buy last summer if the right player wans't available. I'd be annoyed right now if we had a full panel up top but full of mediocre players. Least we have 2 clear spots for the front 4
 
It's obvious if we want to get up to where Bayern, Barca and Real are we need a couple of players with pace and skill to take on defenses and pin teams back. People can talk about systems and formations but pace, skill and firepower is where the big divide lies, the forward lines for the big 3 in Europe right now are ridiculous.
 
Some attacking midfielders, they could be wingers but just don't see LVG utilising them in his system. So some attacking midfielders with some pace and ball control.
 
Watching Bayern, it's tough not to argue that even if Shaw comes back, De Gea stays and Memphis comes good, we'll need:

-Attacker
-Winger
-CM
-LCB
-RB
 
I'd like us to have a look at the Brazilians at Shaktar.

Willian has been good for Chelsea, and Costa is ripping it up for Bayern.

Teixeira would be a good addition to our midfield.
 
Adisa said:
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Well he's spot on here, we'll just ignore the #10 issues for now I guess. Bayern are playing the possession style we are but they have wide players that can take on defenders and pull them apart to open up space, we desperately need that.
 
Got to recruit players that can beat a man from a standing position and have good movement.

There is no point in getting these players that look great in counter attacking teams either. We are so far away from counter attacking, we'd be guessing if they would work for us.
 
For me, Kane and Stones are blindingly obvious targets. And a top winger.

Will cost a fortune.
 
For next summer probably Kane would be a very good signing. Also a right winger with pace and someone who can consistently deliver. Doesn't really need to be right winger, just comfortable on either side. Reus/Griezmann are semi realistic, Muller and Bale not realistic, and then the back ups being like Mane/Mahrez/Felipe Anderson, or just Januzaj/Lingard/Pereira from the younger players.

In tough games:
Martial Kane ????
Schweinsteiger Herrera
Schneiderlin
Shaw Jones Smalling Darmian
De Gea​
Easy games:
Martial Kane
Memphis Schweinsteiger Schneiderlin ????
Shaw Jones Smalling Darmian
De Gea
​
For ????, sub in Mata/Reus/Griezmann/Mane/Anderson/Bale/Januzaj/Pereira/Lingard. Mata if we don't sign anyone. We could probably do with someone like Pjanic/Thiago/Veratti/Gundogan though. Someone who dictates games from midfield but is also creative and attack minded. Thiago does it brilliantly for Bayern, so we need someone like that here as Herrera isn't really that type. Would replace Carrick kind of as Carrick probably doesn't have too long left anyway. Though that could just be Pereira developing as he has the potential.
 
Not a lot.

Top class forward of some sort preferably capable of working in the wide areas or behind the striker. Someone like Greizmann would be great.
Januzaj to come back from loan and play.
A centre back, if Jones can stay fit this season (hah) then a rotational player, if not then Stones would be pretty good.

Other than that I'm happy with what we've got, some people are going way over the top.
 
We are an injury away from needing Fellaini up front for half a season.

A striker of some kind is a necessity; too much responsibility for a 19-year old (even one as good as Martial) in his first season.
 
bosnian_red said:
For next summer probably Kane would be a very good signing. Also a right winger with pace and someone who can consistently deliver. Doesn't really need to be right winger, just comfortable on either side. Reus/Griezmann are semi realistic, Muller and Bale not realistic, and then the back ups being like Mane/Mahrez/Felipe Anderson, or just Januzaj/Lingard/Pereira from the younger players.

In tough games:
Martial Kane ????
Schweinsteiger Herrera
Schneiderlin
Shaw Jones Smalling Darmian
De Gea​
Easy games:
Martial Kane
Memphis Schweinsteiger Schneiderlin ????
Shaw Jones Smalling Darmian
De Gea
​
For ????, sub in Mata/Reus/Griezmann/Mane/Anderson/Bale/Januzaj/Pereira/Lingard. Mata if we don't sign anyone. We could probably do with someone like Pjanic/Thiago/Veratti/Gundogan though. Someone who dictates games from midfield but is also creative and attack minded. Thiago does it brilliantly for Bayern, so we need someone like that here as Herrera isn't really that type. Would replace Carrick kind of as Carrick probably doesn't have too long left anyway. Though that could just be Pereira developing as he has the potential.
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Cue lots of High Noon jokes.
 
Remember when we brought in Alan Smith from Leeds (much to the horror of many) and due to injuries he had to be the sole centre-forward for quite a few games at the start of a season? (and won many over with his work ethic)

I wonder who the equivalent signing to this would be at the moment? An old-style British centre-forward to lead the line when Martial needs a break. Not necessarily a world-beater, but someone to do some of the hard graft.
 
Whiteside1985 said:
Remember when we brought in Alan Smith from Leeds (much to the horror of many) and due to injuries he had to be the sole centre-forward for quite a few games at the start of a season? (and won many over with his work ethic)

I wonder who the equivalent signing to this would be at the moment? An old-style British centre-forward to lead the line when Martial needs a break. Not necessarily a world-beater, but someone to do some of the hard graft.
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Vardy probably
 
LVG wants a fast winger.

Those Mane links looking more and more likely.
 
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