There'd be zero point in Fabinho and Romeu, it's the exact same role, you only need one holder in the team. I know you don't like Herrera Lawman but if you are going to replace him at least do it with a proper box to box that can bring some energy and dynamism, not two sitters.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2016 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
An evolved José Mourinho for a start will be nice. One that is free from the curse of Eva Caneiro too!
Lukaku & Defoe (Bench) to get the goals and replace Zlatan & Rooney
Greizman to add a goal threat and creativity and replace Mata
Fabinho to stabilise midfield and replace Fellaini
Van Dijk to partner Bailly and replace either Jones or my preference Smalling
Willian to give some genuine width on the right and replace Lingaard
I think there will be further departures to trim our bloated squad, (Young, Blind, Darmian, Januzaj) ? And a high profile one in the shape of Martial or Mkhitaryan, which means either promoting youth or signing some 'prospects'
Greizman to add a goal threat and creativity and replace Mata
Fabinho to stabilise midfield and replace Fellaini
Van Dijk to partner Bailly and replace either Jones or my preference Smalling
Willian to give some genuine width on the right and replace Lingaard
I think there will be further departures to trim our bloated squad, (Young, Blind, Darmian, Januzaj) ? And a high profile one in the shape of Martial or Mkhitaryan, which means either promoting youth or signing some 'prospects'
Why should Young leave when he can competently cover 4 positions and has done well when called upon? For me its not the battle hardened players like Young that should be making way but the unreliabe, injury prone and high maintenance players that are paid world class level wages but deliver championship level performances.
Another thing is we aren't signing six players, its just not feasible given the prices going around. Maybe five, at a push.
I hope we do keep Young but if our youngsters are going to get game time, some senior players need to move on, He just may be one of them I'm afraid.
A striker--Zlatan is likely gone and we need a proven striker who will get us goals.
An experienced attacker
Back up LM--someone who offers a different dimension to the game than Martial
1 holding midfielder, 1 box to box midfielder, and 1 more creator-- need a variety of midfield options because it gives us more flexibility in terms of lineups.
1 CB to avoid another injury crisis
An experienced attacker
Back up LM--someone who offers a different dimension to the game than Martial
1 holding midfielder, 1 box to box midfielder, and 1 more creator-- need a variety of midfield options because it gives us more flexibility in terms of lineups.
1 CB to avoid another injury crisis
What do we need?
Maybe a new GK, if DDG leaves.
A quality CB and a squad playing CB.
New LB, who doesn't need to be mollycoddled into putting in a good performance.
2 attackers, who can score more than 6 league goals per season.
So, basically half a new team.
Maybe a new GK, if DDG leaves.
A quality CB and a squad playing CB.
New LB, who doesn't need to be mollycoddled into putting in a good performance.
2 attackers, who can score more than 6 league goals per season.
So, basically half a new team.
After todays performance i would happily move forward with about 6-8 of the squad but realistically we all know that's not gonna happen. Apart from keeper, we need to strengthen everywhere.
We seem to be linked with attacker on the planet but it's (still) central midfield that needs sorting for me. Carrick is no longer any use in 'big' games - he just gets bypassed. Fellaini as we know is as limited as they come and Pogba struggles in a two. That basically leaves Herrera and people played out of position e.g. Tuanzebe, TFM, Rooney etc.
I want a physical ball winner in there - not overly bothered how good they are on the ball.
We seem to be linked with attacker on the planet but it's (still) central midfield that needs sorting for me. Carrick is no longer any use in 'big' games - he just gets bypassed. Fellaini as we know is as limited as they come and Pogba struggles in a two. That basically leaves Herrera and people played out of position e.g. Tuanzebe, TFM, Rooney etc.
I want a physical ball winner in there - not overly bothered how good they are on the ball.
We need so many players this summer its not even funny.
If we play a 433 going into next season.( At max)
If we play a 433 going into next season.( At max)
- We need to get 2 DM's because we need a starter to replace Carrick and a backup if he dosen't resign.
- we need 2 CM's who can fill in for Herrera and Pogba.
- A first choice striker
- A back up LM to fill in for Martial when neccesary
- A back up left back
- A back up CB
- A backup CB
- A backup LB
- Two DMs who can protect the back up 4
- A back up CM to Pogba
- An established #10
- A back up LM
- A Striker
- 2 backup CBs
- back up LB
- 2 DMs
- 2 backup CMs
- A striker/ #10
It's difficult to know where to start really because we have so many areas to improve.
Our full backs aren't great so we could improve that area.
Jones and Smalling are turds so plenty of room for improvement in defence.
Carrick is past it, and after selling Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger we're light in midfield. A DM is obviously priority.
Our wings are a shambles. We desperately need some pace and players who can beat a man and put in a good cross.
Rooney is finished and Zlatan is out of action for a long time, so we need a reliable proven striker.
Add to that De Gea will likely leave and we'll be needing a 'keeper too...
Another busy and expensive summer ahead.
Our full backs aren't great so we could improve that area.
Jones and Smalling are turds so plenty of room for improvement in defence.
Carrick is past it, and after selling Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger we're light in midfield. A DM is obviously priority.
Our wings are a shambles. We desperately need some pace and players who can beat a man and put in a good cross.
Rooney is finished and Zlatan is out of action for a long time, so we need a reliable proven striker.
Add to that De Gea will likely leave and we'll be needing a 'keeper too...
Another busy and expensive summer ahead.
Think our fullbacks are big problem. A lot of teams and United in the past, the fullbacks were a big part of the attacks. Even if Valencia goes forward it is not always guaranteed on the other side.
We need someone strong in midfield to do the holding role, to allow Herrera and Pogba to do their thing. Not necessarily a great passer, ideally yes, but someone with authority who will win the ball and also shield the back 4.
A couple of midfielders to rotate with Herrera/Pogba. Pereira might act as one of them.
A bloody goalscorer.
A DM to sit in front of Herrera//Pogba or Fellaini/Pereira.
1 winger, either side, as ling as he is good.
1 striker - to replace Ibra as the main striker. I love Rasford but he's not ready yet.
1 little Pea striker, who knows where the goal is.
1 Blood Pressure machine because we sure as hell will have to make do with Smalling and the rest of the defenders we currently have. We can't buy a whole fecking team each summer, and we need goals, goals, and more goals.
1 winger, either side, as ling as he is good.
1 striker - to replace Ibra as the main striker. I love Rasford but he's not ready yet.
1 little Pea striker, who knows where the goal is.
1 Blood Pressure machine because we sure as hell will have to make do with Smalling and the rest of the defenders we currently have. We can't buy a whole fecking team each summer, and we need goals, goals, and more goals.
let's not buy average and spread money around.....
though we could do with 7/8 new players (given departures already made during season and this summer) I'd focus on another 4 or 5 who will improve the first team straight away
priority areas where we need big bucks spent on pure class
2 attacking players - M'Bappe, Griezeman
a winger/wide player - Lucas Moura?
a CB - someone tough and dominant
a DM - why didn't we sign Kante? a clone or a passing Kroos type midfielder
we can survive with.....
Valencia/Tuanzebe at RB
Shaw/Blind at LB
Rojo/Jones as backup CBs
our main focus has to be scoring goals
I'd be looking for players with the mentality you see at teams like Atletico Madrid
though we could do with 7/8 new players (given departures already made during season and this summer) I'd focus on another 4 or 5 who will improve the first team straight away
priority areas where we need big bucks spent on pure class
2 attacking players - M'Bappe, Griezeman
a winger/wide player - Lucas Moura?
a CB - someone tough and dominant
a DM - why didn't we sign Kante? a clone or a passing Kroos type midfielder
we can survive with.....
Valencia/Tuanzebe at RB
Shaw/Blind at LB
Rojo/Jones as backup CBs
our main focus has to be scoring goals
I'd be looking for players with the mentality you see at teams like Atletico Madrid
CB
DM
LW or RW
ST
CB - Smalling just isn't up to the standard, maybe the Southampton CB could come in, he seems a top player. Maybe a short term bolstering with Terry?!
DM - I like the look of Romeu, alternatively Fabinho
LW or RW - Greizeman
ST - I'd love Lukaku to come, he would give us a guaranteed 5 years plus. Maybe Defoe to sit on the bench and grab us 5-10 goals?
DM
LW or RW
ST
CB - Smalling just isn't up to the standard, maybe the Southampton CB could come in, he seems a top player. Maybe a short term bolstering with Terry?!
DM - I like the look of Romeu, alternatively Fabinho
LW or RW - Greizeman
ST - I'd love Lukaku to come, he would give us a guaranteed 5 years plus. Maybe Defoe to sit on the bench and grab us 5-10 goals?
Sadly we do need quite a bit. We need to weed out the players with weak mentailities. Those who crumble under pressure, purposely slow down when they see an opposition player going for the same ball, or pull out of challenges, and who's heads drop when the game isn't going well. We also need to get rid of the players who seem completely clueless when pressed, or when the opposition sit behind the ball....that's a fair few!
I'd say that this summer we need at least 4-5 players, IF DDG stays and then maybe another season to bed them in. I'd like to get rid of Rooney, Lingard, Smalling, Jones and Fellaini at least (I know Lingard will stay).
I'd like to see us bring in a CB, DM, and at least 2 attacking players. Ideally, in the long run I think we need 2 new CBs (maybe one can come through from the youth) and possibly a LB too.
I'd say that this summer we need at least 4-5 players, IF DDG stays and then maybe another season to bed them in. I'd like to get rid of Rooney, Lingard, Smalling, Jones and Fellaini at least (I know Lingard will stay).
I'd like to see us bring in a CB, DM, and at least 2 attacking players. Ideally, in the long run I think we need 2 new CBs (maybe one can come through from the youth) and possibly a LB too.
DDG
Valencia--Bailly--Keane--Shaw?
Bakayoko---Pogba
Mkhi-----James-----Martial
Lukaku
Something like the above would be a step in the right direction. Even then though, Mkhi isn't really a RW, Martial need to regain some lost confidence, Shaw is a big question mark and DDG might leave.....plus we would ony really have Herrera on the bench in MF who is any good. It's going to be, in the words of a great man (:P) a process.Valencia--Bailly--Keane--Shaw?
Bakayoko---Pogba
Mkhi-----James-----Martial
Lukaku
Someone like Mascherano on a 2 year contract would really help the team out, not just because of how he plays but also the mentality. No doubt he'd still be ok for 2 years in the EPL. Fabinho would be the other to go for IMO. He's a long term replacement for Valencia who would also be great in midfield right now.
So you don't think we need a wide right attacking/midfield player ?
That would mean giving up on Mkhitaryan after 1 year which would be pathetic.
I would' not give up Mkhitaryan, I would give up on Lingaard
One thing is certain, we need two bodies in midfield, a dm and a box-box.
Pogba can't be expected to play every single game over the entire season, and look at the state of us without him.
And that is just if we play a 2 man midfield, if we plan to go ahead with a 3 man midfield, which is something I think we'll do for atleast some matches, we most def. need two midfielders.
Keita and Fabinho would be my dream scenario
Pogba can't be expected to play every single game over the entire season, and look at the state of us without him.
And that is just if we play a 2 man midfield, if we plan to go ahead with a 3 man midfield, which is something I think we'll do for atleast some matches, we most def. need two midfielders.
Keita and Fabinho would be my dream scenario
We need three world class attackers, a defensive midfielder and a centre-half.
A world class striker
An exciting wide player at or nearing his peak
A solid DM
A passing CM
A good CB who stays fit 90% of games
Get rid of:
Fellaini
Rooney
Lingard
An exciting wide player at or nearing his peak
A solid DM
A passing CM
A good CB who stays fit 90% of games
Get rid of:
Fellaini
Rooney
Lingard
I agree though I would get rid of more. Personally think our unbeaten and good decent defensive record but lack of scoring goals is more to do with our tactics and weakness in midfield than the attacking players. A quality centre back and two central midfielders is as much of a priority as anything to me. If we are playing one up front Id rather Rashford and Martial are deployed there to fight for that spot and we sign a quality winger though than a world class striker.
Although I agree with some of your postions need filling....we need back ups? We have about 5 back up centre backs and only one quality one. Same goes for most of the squad. What we need is 4/5 top quality signings a defender, two central midfielders and either/and a winger or striker along with possibly a DeFea replacement. We have a big squad that for me needs trimming, there are decent back up players to remain, very good youngsters for back up in Mensah, Tuanzabe and Perreira. For all the millions we have spent as things stand we only have one quality centre back, an ageing but very effective right back, one top quality that needs to improve consistanacy wise central midfielder numerous talented attacking players none of which have nailed a spot and an two extremely talented young strikers who have spent most of the season playing out wide. Id DeGea goes we have maybe 4/5 players for me of a top first eleven, we have a good squad of maybe 18-19 players and 5-6 players could or should leave, the TEAm needs improving, not back ups for the squad
Have you looked at our injury history and the huge amount of games we played in the first two seasons? When Rojo and Baily went down we had no one to provide cover because our two back up center backs were made out of glass. I agree that our squad needs a lot of trimming, but as we cut guys like Young, Mata, Fellaini, Rooney, Zlatan, Jones(or Smalling), and Carrick, we need to make replacements,hence the need for back up players.
Think about when we cut all of those players, we only have:
3 CBS
3 fullbacks
0 holding mids
2 CMs
1 striker
3 wingers
Why? I think Lingard is good enough to be a squad player here, but we need to get another left sided winger for when we cut Ashley Young.
Yea it seems as though Jose has become more and more like LvG as the season goes on. Our defensive solidity is based on never attacking rather than actually being a well organised unit.
I just don't think Martial or Rashford are anywhere near reliable enough to provide the goals for a title challenge. Perhaps they would come good over the course of the season but I think if we don't sign a top striker we won't be competing for the title.
We have too many needs to address in one window so it will be interesting to see how we prioritize this summer. I'd say we definitely need: LB, CB, DM, CM, AM, ST. We're going to have to decide to make do with what we have in 1-2 of those positions.
Some people want to keep everyone and sign 4 or 5 more, Lingaard does'nt cut it for me so if we sign James and/or Griezman where and when would he play ?
Young is versatile enough to warrant a place in the squad, so apart from the age gap I would prefer him to Jesse
Totally agree with what you are saying there. However, the point I am making is that the majority of players we would be KEEPING are pretty average or not proving themselves enough that it is THEM that should be the back up players. Lets face it how many of the current players would get in the starting eleven of Fergusons sides? We have slipped so badly the last few years that we are accepting mediocre players in our side in my opinion, and spending far too much money for them as well.
I would disagree about the huge amount of games though, its horse shit, we were playing that amount of games year in year out a few years ago, we have been unlucky with injuries this year but we have a big squad full of internationals, we dont have a first eleven FULL of quality, forgetting Mourinhos signings how many players are you really happy to see start in the champions league based upon performances this year? DeGea who could be off? Valencia perhaps, possibly Herrera and Rashford, I cant see much beyond that myself?
I know what you mean. Rashford is super exciting but the end product especially finishing isnt consistently there and this season Martial seems the other way round, still finishing quite well in the box but on the ball he has been pretty poor generally. Neither have been played up front enough at the same time though this year.
Same time though we still havent found the answer for the two wide players really have we? Depay bombed, Mata provides some valuable assists and had a decent season but still isnt the answer for me, Lingard makes intelligent runs but he isnt really that young and he isnt really anythign more than a squad player. I do really like Mkhytarian but he has struggled in the premiership in his first year, hope there is more to come from him as the talent is obvious, could say the same for Martial this year if he is used out wide. Id still love to see a SIlva/Costa type signing that is a bit more old fashioned in terms of a player running at the defence. Have to say I miss the old 4-4-2 and old fashioned wingers getting round the back and whipping the ball in.
I am not advocating that Lingard plays as a starter. I think he is a decent backup who unlike Young has been fit.
One of the dominant themes on the caf in recent years has been that we need to buy and buy big to rectify our problems. While I agree that there are a few problem positions in the team and a few of our starters could be upgraded, I feel that continuity would go a long way to gloss over many of our perceived problems.
I was all in favor of LVG staying for a second season because I thought he had found a system and style that the team was comfortable with and we would see a natural improvement in the team by continuing with it. Being the genius that he was however Van Gaal decided to start from scratch in his second season. Provided Mourinho does not make a similar mistake I would expect the team to naturally improve across the board. I think when Mourinho/Woody speak about making minimal changes they have a similar mindset.
I am expecting a maximum of five new signings, but probably only four again. And I expect that will be enough to mount a challenge next season
I was all in favor of LVG staying for a second season because I thought he had found a system and style that the team was comfortable with and we would see a natural improvement in the team by continuing with it. Being the genius that he was however Van Gaal decided to start from scratch in his second season. Provided Mourinho does not make a similar mistake I would expect the team to naturally improve across the board. I think when Mourinho/Woody speak about making minimal changes they have a similar mindset.
I am expecting a maximum of five new signings, but probably only four again. And I expect that will be enough to mount a challenge next season
To be honest, it should be possible to win PL next season with 4 signings this summer. We don't need 7 top level signings to become a title winning team, we need to get the best out of the players we currently have in our squad. Comparing our squad with the title winning Chelsea and Leicester squads, I would say that we have more depth and a better top level. Bring in a central defender (Varane), one midfielder (Renato Sanches) and an attacker (Lukaku). Get the maximum potential out of the likes of Shaw and Martial in addition to these signings, and we're good. In terms of depth, we are well covered except for the defensive midfielder position. Carrick will probably sign a new contract, but i would like us to bring in a destroyer like Mikel was for Chelsea under Mourinho. I am not talking about some big signing like Fabinho, an unfashionable player like Alex Song or Luiz Gustavo would be enough.
De Gea
Valencia, Bailly, Varane, Shaw
Herrera
Pogba, Renato Sanches
Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Martial
De Gea
Valencia, Bailly, Varane, Shaw
Herrera
Pogba, Renato Sanches
Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Martial
So you think by swapping Zlatan for Lukaku our incompetent attack will suddenly double the goal tally and win the league?
Insanity - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
How would people feel if we signed Griezmann to play as a SS, Silva to play on the RW, and Hernandez to come back? I'm just thinking it's unlikely we spend big on 3 Attackers, I can see 2 though. Then I assume Dier and Keane will also come in. That's 5 in, but there's still question marks over the LB and De Gea staying or leaving.
AndyJ1985: when you put it that way, the answer is obviously "no". However, I expect Martial to get back to the level of his first season when he scored 17 goals. I expect Pogba and Sanches to add a lot of energy and power to our attack by giving them freedom offensively (Herrera can do the dirty work), and they should be able to bang in 10 goals each in a season. I expect Shaw to get back to the level he showed in the start of last season, and bring some much needed offensive contribution as a wing back. I expect Lukaku to score the same amount of goals that he has done this season (24 in the league - 7 more than Zlatan). I expect Rashford to keep developing, and score 10-15 goals as a winger and backup striker. I also expect Mourinho to play far more offensively against the top teams next season, knowing that he has a defense and midfield that is strong enough to deal with the opposition.
Chelsea scored 59 goals last season, and went on to win the league this season by bringing in two average defenders (Marcos Alonso and David Luiz), a world class defensive midfielder (Kanté), and a striker that has started a total of one league game (Batshuayi). We have scored 52 league goals, and are bringing inn better players (if we buy the 3 starters i listed). Is Conte insane? Yes, but he is a bloody genius as well.
Chelsea scored 59 goals last season, and went on to win the league this season by bringing in two average defenders (Marcos Alonso and David Luiz), a world class defensive midfielder (Kanté), and a striker that has started a total of one league game (Batshuayi). We have scored 52 league goals, and are bringing inn better players (if we buy the 3 starters i listed). Is Conte insane? Yes, but he is a bloody genius as well.
So I was thinking about this earlier and our best players this season have been - Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Mkhitaryan & Zlatan. Put them in a formation (with DDG in goal because he's the BITW regardless of this season) and you have
--------------De Gea--------------
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--???
------Herrera------Pogba------
Mata----------???--------Mkhitaryan
--------------Zlatan--------------
or alternatively
--------------De Gea--------------
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--???
----------------???----------------
------Herrera------Pogba------
Mata---------Zlatan--------Mkhitaryan
So for me priorities are a holding midfielder, an attacker, maybe a LB and I say maybe because I feel between Shaw, Blind, Darmian, Borthwick-Jackson, Mitchell and even Young we should have enough options here even if there isn't an outstanding one (still hope for Shaw) and lastly a CB because I still fear that Rojo was just in really good form and will revert to LVG form next season and Smalling/Jones just cant be relied upon/aren't good enough
It seems we have a good chance of getting Griezmann so that'll be one of the '3' positions sorted just need to find the others
--------------De Gea--------------
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--???
------Herrera------Pogba------
Mata----------???--------Mkhitaryan
--------------Zlatan--------------
or alternatively
--------------De Gea--------------
Valencia--Bailly--Rojo--???
----------------???----------------
------Herrera------Pogba------
Mata---------Zlatan--------Mkhitaryan
So for me priorities are a holding midfielder, an attacker, maybe a LB and I say maybe because I feel between Shaw, Blind, Darmian, Borthwick-Jackson, Mitchell and even Young we should have enough options here even if there isn't an outstanding one (still hope for Shaw) and lastly a CB because I still fear that Rojo was just in really good form and will revert to LVG form next season and Smalling/Jones just cant be relied upon/aren't good enough
It seems we have a good chance of getting Griezmann so that'll be one of the '3' positions sorted just need to find the others
all the transfer talk and no mention of a left back, it is probably the one position that we're desperate for a player more than anywhere else.
Like last summer the media haven't got a clue whats happening and their guessing. The leaks at OT have stopped.
Like last summer the media haven't got a clue whats happening and their guessing. The leaks at OT have stopped.
I strongly disagree that we desperately need a new left back. In todays squad we already have Shaw, CBJ, Young, Blind, Darmian and Rojo as our option in this position. Shaw may have had a poor season after returning from his leg injury, but he is still one of the biggest left back talents in the world. CBJ showed some good potential last season, and his defensive strengths and height would suit a Mourinho fullback. Ashley Young has played in this position several times this season, delivering solid performances every time. Blind has shown that as long as he gets a run of games either as a centre back or as a left back, he is a decent player for us. Darmian is obviously lacking offensive contribution (especially playing to the left), but defensively he is world class. Rojo has been much better in the centre of our defense, and I hope that he will play as a centre back going forward.
This leaves us with a lot of options at left back. I agree that none of them are guaranteed first team material, but we only need one of them to step up in order to secure the left back position. As far as I can tell, we have 5 left backs currently in our squad (Shaw, CBJ, Young, Darmian, Blind), that all have the potential to be capable of playing regularly in a PL winning side. You don't necessary need some super duper flashy left back to win trophies, you need a solid player that doesn't screw up. The regular fullbacks from the last two PL winning teams have been Danny Simpson, Christian Fuchs, Marcos Alonso (wing back) and Victor Moses (wing back). If we fix the rest of our team, it would be possible to win both the PL and the CL with Darmian as our first choice left back.
This leaves us with a lot of options at left back. I agree that none of them are guaranteed first team material, but we only need one of them to step up in order to secure the left back position. As far as I can tell, we have 5 left backs currently in our squad (Shaw, CBJ, Young, Darmian, Blind), that all have the potential to be capable of playing regularly in a PL winning side. You don't necessary need some super duper flashy left back to win trophies, you need a solid player that doesn't screw up. The regular fullbacks from the last two PL winning teams have been Danny Simpson, Christian Fuchs, Marcos Alonso (wing back) and Victor Moses (wing back). If we fix the rest of our team, it would be possible to win both the PL and the CL with Darmian as our first choice left back.