2 players (guess a RB/LB and CM) + Pereira and the rest of what we already have.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2016 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
Keep De Gea
Hope that Valencia continues on a good form but buy another right back to compete with him
Buy a new central defender
Hope Shaw recovers or buy a new left back
Buy a Carrick replacement
Buy a top player upfront that can score 20+goals and can play in a wing (when we'll switch to 4-3-3)
In 4-2-3-1 :
-------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------------
Valencia------------------New CB-----------Bailly---------------Shaw/New LB
------------------------Herrera (cap)---------Pogba-----------------------------
Mkhitaryan-----------------------Griezmann----------------------------Martial
-----------------------------------Ibrahimovic-----------------------------------
In 4-3-3 :
------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------------
Valencia------------------New CB-----------Bailly---------------Shaw/New LB
-------------------------------------New CM-------------------------------------
----------------------Herrera (cap)---------Pogba------------------------------
Mkhitaryan------------------------Ibrahimovic---------------------Griezmann
Subs :
--------------------------------------Rashford------------------------------------
Martial---------------------------------Mata------------------------------Lingard
------------------------------Fellaini---------Carrick------------------------------
Blind------------------------Smalling--------Jones----------------------New RB
--------------------------------------Romero--------------------------------------
Hope that Valencia continues on a good form but buy another right back to compete with him
Buy a new central defender
Hope Shaw recovers or buy a new left back
Buy a Carrick replacement
Buy a top player upfront that can score 20+goals and can play in a wing (when we'll switch to 4-3-3)
In 4-2-3-1 :
-------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------------
Valencia------------------New CB-----------Bailly---------------Shaw/New LB
------------------------Herrera (cap)---------Pogba-----------------------------
Mkhitaryan-----------------------Griezmann----------------------------Martial
-----------------------------------Ibrahimovic-----------------------------------
In 4-3-3 :
------------------------------------De Gea--------------------------------------
Valencia------------------New CB-----------Bailly---------------Shaw/New LB
-------------------------------------New CM-------------------------------------
----------------------Herrera (cap)---------Pogba------------------------------
Mkhitaryan------------------------Ibrahimovic---------------------Griezmann
Subs :
--------------------------------------Rashford------------------------------------
Martial---------------------------------Mata------------------------------Lingard
------------------------------Fellaini---------Carrick------------------------------
Blind------------------------Smalling--------Jones----------------------New RB
--------------------------------------Romero--------------------------------------
I think Invictus is right about Jose going for proven players over some of the names floated, if he only addresses 3 positions I think we can expect players that have competed at the top level for more than a single season.
Defense - Jose has never had a back 4 without a CB leader, right now we don't have one and the back 4 shit it's collective pants in the home leg against Saint Ettienne and in the EFL cup final, there's no one back there to add some composure and leadership when we face sustained pressure. He might go for a CB that isn't embraced by fans in terms of style, but it will be more about grit and mentality IMO.
Midfield - Despite constant links to ball chasers I am sure Jose will be looking for a proper holder like his beloved Makelele or Matic, someone that will just sweep up behind Pogba and protect the back 4, preferably a player that also can distribute well, last thing we need is a technically mediocre player in the regular 11.
Attack - I am certain another source of goals will be added, we are way too reliant on a striker who will be 36 next season and we need a second forward capable of high double figures. There will be grumbling from sections of the Caf who's favourite sees less game time, but that's life.
I'm still hopefull that there'll be a 4th, we are really short in the fullback positions, we have no quality cover for Valencia and our LB changes nearly every week. We are also short of a proper #9 to cover Ibra.
Defense - Jose has never had a back 4 without a CB leader, right now we don't have one and the back 4 shit it's collective pants in the home leg against Saint Ettienne and in the EFL cup final, there's no one back there to add some composure and leadership when we face sustained pressure. He might go for a CB that isn't embraced by fans in terms of style, but it will be more about grit and mentality IMO.
Midfield - Despite constant links to ball chasers I am sure Jose will be looking for a proper holder like his beloved Makelele or Matic, someone that will just sweep up behind Pogba and protect the back 4, preferably a player that also can distribute well, last thing we need is a technically mediocre player in the regular 11.
Attack - I am certain another source of goals will be added, we are way too reliant on a striker who will be 36 next season and we need a second forward capable of high double figures. There will be grumbling from sections of the Caf who's favourite sees less game time, but that's life.
I'm still hopefull that there'll be a 4th, we are really short in the fullback positions, we have no quality cover for Valencia and our LB changes nearly every week. We are also short of a proper #9 to cover Ibra.
Sell Rooney.
If Mata stays, we can not sign another number 10. (Yes I don't wan't Griezmann unless we sell Mata and Rooney)
FYI - I believe Mkhitaryan plays his best football at Number 10, and this is where he should play for us. )
We need 1 pacy wingers\inside forwards who dribble at speed and cross the ball well.
I believe we need a defensive mid (who can pass) to play alongside Pogba. We still miss Carrick when he doesn't play
Hopefully Ibrahimovic stays for one more year and Martial and Rashford can take another step to take the load off him.
I think Shaw will be a better player next year, it always takes 1 year after you come back to get back to full fitness and start playing well.
If Mata stays, we can not sign another number 10. (Yes I don't wan't Griezmann unless we sell Mata and Rooney)
FYI - I believe Mkhitaryan plays his best football at Number 10, and this is where he should play for us. )
We need 1 pacy wingers\inside forwards who dribble at speed and cross the ball well.
I believe we need a defensive mid (who can pass) to play alongside Pogba. We still miss Carrick when he doesn't play
Hopefully Ibrahimovic stays for one more year and Martial and Rashford can take another step to take the load off him.
I think Shaw will be a better player next year, it always takes 1 year after you come back to get back to full fitness and start playing well.
I would spent most of our transfer budget on a right and left back. Modern football requires WB to be able to overlap at the other end to out number the opposition's defense. Look at what happened at the League Cup final. While Valencia been great for us this season, he is getting too old for a such a physically demanding position, and his crossing aren't world class either. Left side is even worst with Darmian, Blind, and Shaw - none of them have all the important check box ticked, therefore LB should be a top priority come summer.
The other position is a winger on the right, assuming Griezmann is indeed coming. Mhki can play CAM quite well and Mata can rotate with him. On the right we don't really have anyone but Martial, Rashford and Lingard. None of them suits that position well.
Lastly we need a strong defensive midfielder who could cover for Pogba when he goes forward, and for Herrera when he gets overwhelmed. Ideally he should also being able to launch long passes, but Pogba could do that already.
These are the top priorities in order, less important ones are CB, and a box to box. Because Jones is always missing half of the season and Herrera don't score enough.
The other position is a winger on the right, assuming Griezmann is indeed coming. Mhki can play CAM quite well and Mata can rotate with him. On the right we don't really have anyone but Martial, Rashford and Lingard. None of them suits that position well.
Lastly we need a strong defensive midfielder who could cover for Pogba when he goes forward, and for Herrera when he gets overwhelmed. Ideally he should also being able to launch long passes, but Pogba could do that already.
These are the top priorities in order, less important ones are CB, and a box to box. Because Jones is always missing half of the season and Herrera don't score enough.
Read this today, sure it's calciomercato and goal, with some tuttosport, but still: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...gianluigi-donnarumma-david-de-gea-top-rumours
Regardless of verity, this makes a lot of sense to me. Romero is not good enough to be our number 1, and we all know how important a world class GK is. If Donnarumma is as good as people been saying he is, then he would be a great acquisition. He's probably more loyal than De Gea as well.
Has incredible potential. The article shows some stats that compare them:
De Gea vs. Donnarumma 2016-17 League Stats
...........................................De Gea............................Donnarumma
Apps..........................................25.............................................26
Clean Sheets.............................10...............................................9
Goals Conceded.........................21.............................................29
Saves........................................42.............................................90
Saves per goal.......................2.10...........................................3.21
Distribution Accuracy............66%..........................................76%
His disitribution is really good...
That's why we need another striker. Ibra has a stinker, we have no one ready to take his spot. Rashford and Martial are miles away in readiness, if we're aiming for the League.
Lesson learned this season, it's the final third that we usually bottle to win the game.
Lesson learned this season, it's the final third that we usually bottle to win the game.
We need players that can enable us to get the best out Pogba.
No idea who that could be but a strong, mobile b2b and a deep lying dmc leaving Pogba to drive past people, take on and break the line, get into the final third.
No idea who that could be but a strong, mobile b2b and a deep lying dmc leaving Pogba to drive past people, take on and break the line, get into the final third.
Character
Two midfielders are a must, if we don't get those it won't matter who else we sign.
Pogba got plenty of chances, nobody can make him put them in the net, that is down to him.
Some wingers who can cross.
Attacking players who can score.
Attacking players who can score.
What's the point? He never gets subbed and he barely ever gets benched. It'd make more sense to sign a goalscoring winger/second striker to compensate for the fact.
I agree with this, there have to be more goals from elsewhere for days like today.
Rashford barely gets the opportunity. He should have been brought on to play centrally a lot earlier than he was. Even at half time. He'd have stretched their back four could have won it for us.
Well maybe because we have none good enough in Mou's eyes to bench Ibra. Although I also agree with options of a goalscoring winger or ss, though.
You can see that Rashford is still not good enough as a main striker yet. God forbid if Ibra gets injured, and we have to only rely on Rashford as our 'other' main striker, when we're on squeaky bum time for the title.
Number 1 priority - a cerebral, composed and experienced CB. All four of our CBs are a mistake waiting to happen. Bailly will improve, the other 3 are now at their peak and have reached their ceiling. This is how they play and will always play.
Rashford looks likely to score goals every time he plays up top. I'd have no issues with him coming in for Ibrahimovic.
Not sure if I agree with this. Jones and Rojo have formed a good partnership for significant stretches throughout the year and only Spurs and Chelsea have conceded less than we have. Barring the availability of someone like Bonucci or the like, I don't think CB will be a priority for us. A goal scoring attacker on the other hand, should be priority number one.
We need to have a greater trust in our youth. Rashford and Martial are great players when you actually give them the ball.
...or banned.
Lots of people have this strange outlook in that they (apparently) hold young players in high regard, yet never seem to believe that they're ready. So what happens is that great young players like Rashford go from not being ready to lead the line for a club like United to not being good enough to act as back up for a club like United.
Essentially, they're good enough back up until, you know, they need to be back up.
Take today. Rashford could have come on at half time and scored for us. Why the hell couldn't he? Yet so many people refuse to extend this opportunity to them. It's frustrating, and it's the kind of attitude that has held back a number of young players in recent years.
We have a world difference on the meaning of 'great players' then.
Chicharito.
Out
Rooney
BFS
Carrick
Young
In
LB
CB
CDM - why we didnt go for Kante?
ST - That young french guy will do
Rooney
BFS
Carrick
Young
In
LB
CB
CDM - why we didnt go for Kante?
ST - That young french guy will do
I thought we might get away with it for another season but after the first leg against Saint Etienne, the EFL cup final and today I'd be surprised if Jose doesn't bring in a hardened CB that can lead a back 4, we have no composure back there when a team gets at us.
The lack of a #9 that Jose trusts to bring on for Ibra is also a continued worry, we need a #9 that can rotate with him without losing the physical presence but adding some speed and mobility to the position.
The lack of a #9 that Jose trusts to bring on for Ibra is also a continued worry, we need a #9 that can rotate with him without losing the physical presence but adding some speed and mobility to the position.
He supposedly turned us down, and he's not what we are missing, he chases the ball too much, we need a calm CM that will sit in front of the back 4 and allow Pogba and Herrera freedom in front of him, Kante has Matic doing that for him at Chelsea.
Agree with you there. People are misunderstanding what we need for the midfield. They go on and on about Kante but as you say it is the Matic type we need. A Steady Eddie who has a good pass in him. Although another player to rotate with Herrera and Pogba wouldn't go amiss.
It baffles me when I see the Kante obsession and the Bakayoko/Kessie wish lists, none of them are what this team misses, they play Herrera's role and while people can argue Kante vs Herrera he's clearly better than the other 2. On the cover front I wouldn't be adverse to Pereira and TFM getting that job next season, but the replacement for Carrick at the base is crucial, we lack composure without him too often.
When he took Michael off I presumed he was going to bring Ander on. It makes you wonder if he is actually seeing the EL as the priority and that is why Michael came off in the first place. We basically sacrificed the midfield.
I can't fathom what he was thinking, had he brought Fellaini on for the usual hoof it into the box tactic we've resorted to then ok, but to play him in the holding midfield role was nonsensical, it meant what he can add was nullified and we had no one to build the attacks, he even realized it and moved Mata into CM. This has to show Jose the lack of depth we have in midfield, no one to cover Herrera and no one to replace Carrick.
I presumed that Fellaini was the old Plan B. It was a mess all round. Funny thing is it shows how vital both Michael and Ander are on today performance not so much Pogba.
Both players are so important to our tempo, Carrick controls it from deep and Ander and Mkhi inject it with their pressing and quick passing higher up.
I hope Mhki is back quick.
I think Jose said he'll be ready for the Chelsea game.
Said it before but we need the following players. CB, LB, CDM, CM, RW, CF.
The team needs 6 new first team players to turn into a CL contender and title favourite.
We can get by with less signings but we definitely Need upgrading in these positions.. it's not even about getting top tier players but we need more robust, dynamic, intelligent, mentally stronger and effective players.
A partner for Bailly, upgrade on Shaw/Darmian/Rojo, a replacement for Carrick, a more intelligent penetrative upgrade on Herrera for home games who can control games and take pressure of Pogba to provide all passing from deep, a winger who takes pressure off Martial to run at three players all the time and a CF who can finish clinically and provide dynamism to the attack.
All these signings look like no brainers to me tactically but of course we need to actually find the right players. We can't spend big on all these positions but we definitely can get top class forward, Winger and midfield.
The team needs 6 new first team players to turn into a CL contender and title favourite.
We can get by with less signings but we definitely Need upgrading in these positions.. it's not even about getting top tier players but we need more robust, dynamic, intelligent, mentally stronger and effective players.
A partner for Bailly, upgrade on Shaw/Darmian/Rojo, a replacement for Carrick, a more intelligent penetrative upgrade on Herrera for home games who can control games and take pressure of Pogba to provide all passing from deep, a winger who takes pressure off Martial to run at three players all the time and a CF who can finish clinically and provide dynamism to the attack.
All these signings look like no brainers to me tactically but of course we need to actually find the right players. We can't spend big on all these positions but we definitely can get top class forward, Winger and midfield.
6 is evil number. Make it 7 or 8.