What do we still need? Post Summer 2016 edition

Ed says we wont be churning out players like last season so how many tweaks to the first 11 to we still need ?
http://www.espnfc.com/story/3056913/manchester-united-planning-summer-signings-ed-woodward

I doubt we will be signing 4 key players again this summer ?

Well it depends on how many players will stay. So there will probably be a couple of new names:

GK, either a De Gea or a Romero replacement. Most likely Romero perhaps wanting first team games before the WC the coming year.
LB, most important position to improve
CM, someone to either play next to Pogba or a new one instead of Carrick if Mourinho continues to use three midfielders.
L or R/W, depending on if Martial is going to be used or not.
F/S, someone who can help Ibra, most likely Griezmann

So at least four new players. But Mourinho could go for a new potential world class CB if he feels the current ones aren't "good enough" to play next to Bailly. And vice-Valencia could also be needed, so a RB too.

At most six new players + Pereira returning from his loan at Granada and Tuanzebe getting more chances.

It may seem to be a lot but given the fact that a few players will likely leave in the summer it really isn't that many.

DDG, Romero, third keeper = 3
Shaw, Blind, Bailly, Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Darmian = 8
Carrick, Pogba, Herrera, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, TFM, Young, Lingard, Mata, Mkhitaryan = 10
Ibra, Martial, Rooney, Rashford = 4

25 players this season. So a minimum of four players are already likely to leave, but Romero and a CB could leave (Smalling?). So four to six new players coming in should not be too many players when the team will play so many games. TFM and Tuanzebe could be loaned out next season so the team will not be that big when you think about it.

DDG, Casillas?, JCP = 3
Shaw, Kolasinac?, Blind, Bailly, Rojo, Jones, Laporte? , Valencia, Semedo? = 9
Carrick, Pogba, Herrera, Fellaini, Verratti? , Lingard, Mata, Pereira, Carrasco? , Mkhitaryan = 10
Ibra, Martial, Griezmann? , Rashford = 4

Seven players mentioned, but Fellaini and Blind could also be sold if they want more game time.

Possible first team?:

1557029_Manchester_United.jpg


Possible "reserve" team?:

1557040_Manchester_United.jpg


So this would make two teams + one third keeper (JCP), Blind, Carrick and Lingard. TFM and Tuanzebe could like I mentioned be loaned out, so 26 players. The named players are some that I think would fit in the team, even if it's not realistical. Casillas and Kolasinac would be bosman. But if Romero stays and Mourinho feels Valencia still has a lot to offer without back-up next season then this would be two less players in. If Martial improves then there won't be a need for a winger as well. So it could actually be 3-4 players in, if you think about it.

Wow, this got out of hand. Have written a bit more than I planned. Hope it's ok and that I haven't made any "stupid" suggestions.
 
Last edited:
@RedMaestro

Mourinho has said today that we won't see big changes and they are aiming at 2-4 new players.

Well four players is actually what I was also thinking being realistical. But two players won't be enough in my opinion. Like I said, a minimum of at least three must be needed. LB, because the team can't gamble on Shaw, someone instead of Carrick and striker/forward to help Ibra. That makes it three.

But I think this could be a strategy from their side to show the "selling" teams that they can't ask too much for a certain player, if so they'll go elsewhere. Mourinho said earlier that they'll only go for players that are realistical and not "fantasy" so they won't waste unnecessary time.

But I'm no expert and this is just my hope....
 
Well four players is actually what I was also thinking being realistical. But two players won't be enough in my opinion. Like I said, a minimum of at least three must be needed. LB, because the team can't gamble on Shaw, someone instead of Carrick and striker/forward to help Ibra. That makes it three.

Yeah I think that seems very realistic.

Mourinho will want an attacker because of our lack of goals and LB has been a problem all season so that's two obvious targets. Signings 3 and 4 will depend on who leaves. If Carrick and Schweinsteiger go then there's room for another midfielder, if it's Rooney and Martial then we'll buy another attacker etc.
 
Yeah I think that seems very realistic.

Mourinho will want an attacker because of our lack of goals and LB has been a problem all season so that's two obvious targets. Signings 3 and 4 will depend on who leaves. If Carrick and Schweinsteiger go then there's room for another midfielder, if it's Rooney and Martial then we'll buy another attacker etc.

I would be surprised if Schweinsteiger stays yet another season if he'll only play another 2 or 3 games this season. Rooney will probably also leave if Griezmann (or similar) would arrive. This would mean even less game time for him, add to this that Rashford will develop even more and will probably be chosen instead of Rooney. So Wayne will only stay for the title, but if he's still "hungry" he'll try something else. Everton? West Ham? MLS? China?

Martial will probably stay. He should get at least one more season. Carrick is a bit difficult to say, but I think he'll stay, especially if Young, Rooney and Schweinsteiger leave. Not many "experienced" players left then.
 
1 Attacker (Griezmann)
1 CDM (Carrick replacement)
1 RB/LB (Valencia cover or A new 1st choice LB)

Then 1 more player depending on the situation/any luxury players who become available.
 
Griezman
Front man
1 midfielder
Left back (Possibly CBJ)
 
Griezman
Front man
1 midfielder
Left back (Possibly CBJ)

CBJ is surely not ready to be a starting man? I'm surprised that there's no link to Kolasinac given the fact that Mourinho liked Ivanovic at Chelsea. Basically the same type of player and his contract expires this summer. Would be great to see yet another good free transfer (Ibra).
 
1 Attacker (Griezmann)
1 CDM (Carrick replacement)
1 RB/LB (Valencia cover or A new 1st choice LB)

Then 1 more player depending on the situation/any luxury players who become available.
This sounds realistic to me

If Rooney, Schweinsteiger and Young leave we might see another wide player and midfielder .....depending on what Mourinho thinks of Januzaj/Periera
 
CBJ is surely not ready to be a starting man? I'm surprised that there's no link to Kolasinac given the fact that Mourinho liked Ivanovic at Chelsea. Basically the same type of player and his contract expires this summer. Would be great to see yet another good free transfer (Ibra).

Secretly hoping Shaw comes back all guns blazing but we can't have another season of Blind or Rojo occupying the left back slot.
 
If we are restricted to 4 in then I think some players are going to stick around that shouldn't be, and some positions will be left under par until the summer after, as you can still win the PL with a lot less quality then the CL, and even if we make it into the latter next season I think it'll take longer to make a geuine run at it.

Goalkeeper
- fecking Real Madrid and Muppetino Perez rearing their ugly heads again is troubling, if he's detrmined to go then do what we did with Ronnie, get one more season and then just let him go, we don't need the hassle of trying to find a keeper this summer, especially since all the options are vastly inferior to De Gea.

CB - Jose says every team needs 4 and we have 4, but the quality is suspect beyond Bailly and all are prone to picking up injuries, my guess is though Jose thinks he can muddle through with them for one more season.

LB - Shaw seems miles off being ready and neither Blind or Darmian are good enough to be starting.

RB - Valencia has gas in the tank but we have no cover/competition at all, Darmian is hopeless.

CM - We have 2 that are on their last legs and a crap player like Fellaini still getting games, the depth is paddling pool level. If we move to a 2 man midfield though and bring Pereira back we'll get by with one top class addition.

FW - I basically think Griezmann or Bernardo Silva will be added to the options that play in the 3 positions behind the striker.

#9 - Jose seems obsessed with Ibra and will no doubt be expecting a 36 year old to play another 50+ games next season, and he cleary doesn't fancy Martial or Rasford as strikers so we'll not have any real cover which is big mistake IMO.
 
Secretly hoping Shaw comes back all guns blazing but we can't have another season of Blind or Rojo occupying the left back slot.

Yes, that would be the ideal situation, but I'm afraid that maybe that "ship has sailed". It's extremely rare that players return to their qualities before an injury. And improving is also even more difficult. But I'm also hoping he still has a lot to offer. Just a bit concerned that he's still not playing, despite getting the "all-clear".
 
#9 - Jose seems obsessed with Ibra and will no doubt be expecting a 36 year old to play another 50+ games next season, and he cleary doesn't fancy Martial or Rasford as strikers so we'll not have any real cover which is big mistake IMO.

Is it obsession or the fact that there aren't that many strikers who can handle the role Mourinho wants?
 
Yes, that would be the ideal situation, but I'm afraid that maybe that "ship has sailed". It's extremely rare that players return to their qualities before an injury. And improving is also even more difficult. But I'm also hoping he still has a lot to offer. Just a bit concerned that he's still not playing, despite getting the "all-clear".

Has it not came out the kid has been suffering from depression? He's young enough to recover from the leg break so I'm not so worried about that. I just hope mental health is restored as that could stop him full stop.
But a pre injury form Shaw would be a massive boost to our play.
 
Is it obsession or the fact that there aren't that many strikers who can handle the role Mourinho wants?

Obviously the last, or we would be buying a player in his prime in the summer. imo. Mou is not stupid, and Ibra is gonna turn 36.
How is mou going to adapt when Ibra leaves? The market is not exactly stoked with players who suit his system. What if we cant get our hands on a Drogba/ibra/costa type of frontman?
 
First xi. De Gea
Valencia Jones Bailly Shaw
Keita Herrera Pogba
Bernardo Griezmann Mkhitaryan

Second xi. Romero
Darmian Smalling Rojo Blind
Lingard FMensah Fellaini
Mata Zlatan Rashford/Martial
24th man, Carrick.
If we get massive injuries we dip into our reserves, ie. Gribbin, Buffonge et, al.
 
Is it obsession or the fact that there aren't that many strikers who can handle the role Mourinho wants?

There is a shortage of the type of #9's Jose likes but his reluctance to trust a younger option limits this even further IMO, I think we'd struggle to win the PL with a 36 year old striker.
 
A lot of people are recently saying Keita, Iv hardly seen him play, have we been linked?
 
A lot of people are recently saying Keita, Iv hardly seen him play, have we been linked?
Why does it matter? He just moved to Leipzig last summer and signed a contract until 2020 with huge chances directly to qualify for CL next season playing in a young and exciting team.

You must have lived under stones to not know Red Bull and how they operate. They have huge ambitions and wont bend over, when a top club comes knocking, so to think you can go there and pick their players is just laughable.
 
There is a shortage of the type of #9's Jose likes but his reluctance to trust a younger option limits this even further IMO, I think we'd struggle to win the PL with a 36 year old striker.

Well that's a bit harsh, especially when we've seen what an exception Ibra is. I feel that if the rest of the team won't have so many weaknesses - would be so with 3-4 new players, then Ibra will have a lot more help. They can afford if he'll miss a few more chances than a player in his prime. With the improvement the other players in the team will hopefully pitch in with a lot more goals and assists than this season. But if the team will be similar to this season without improving the LB and maybe not getting a partner to Pogba then it could get a bit more difficult,up especially with him getting older.

It's really strange that there aren't that many strikers of this type but then again, this game changes all the time. With the lack of choices it's going to be up to Mourinho to choose a striker who "lacks" a specific strength that his type of players usually have, i.e. could be a shorter player than usual. That's why I for instance think that Giovanni Simeone could be a good choice (if he continues to improve) - has a lot of good qualities, but he's not a big guy like Ibra.
 
Midfielder for me. Current lot can't play in a 3 and we need a Carrick type but with more Athleticism to be the focal point....
 
Why does it matter? He just moved to Leipzig last summer and signed a contract until 2020 with huge chances directly to qualify for CL next season playing in a young and exciting team.

You must have lived under stones to not know Red Bull and how they operate. They have huge ambitions and wont bend over, when a top club comes knocking, so to think you can go there and pick their players is just laughable.
And your attacking me why?? All I wanted to know if we have been linked and how he is playing. since you answered neither of those why reply to my comment?
 
I can't say I've seen that Mbappe kid at Monaco, but I think we should be looking at either him or Dembele at Celtic in the summer.

One of them, Griezmann and our attack will be sorted. Let Rooney and Young go.

Zlatan
Martial - Griezmann - Mkhi​

With Dembele/Mbappe, Rashford and Mata as other options.
 
I think Griezmann + a DM will be our summer business and nothing more. For DM I can imagine Mourinho monitoring Fabinho and N'Zonzi.

Might also be looking for a LB if Shaw isn't to Mourinho's taste.
 
And your attacking me why?? All I wanted to know if we have been linked and how he is playing. since you answered neither of those why reply to my comment?

He hates the idea of German players leaving the Bundesliga for the PL.
 
I can't say I've seen that Mbappe kid at Monaco, but I think we should be looking at either him or Dembele at Celtic in the summer.

One of them, Griezmann and our attack will be sorted. Let Rooney and Young go.

Zlatan
Martial - Griezmann - Mkhi​

With Dembele/Mbappe, Rashford and Mata as other options.
I really don't see the point in going for another attacker in the summer if we sign Griezmann. As it is players like Martial and Rashford are being benched and if we signed Griezmann, Mata would be joining them.

I don't think Dembele from Celtic is ready to make the jump to United either, maybe as a rotation option for Spurs or something.
 
Why does it matter? He just moved to Leipzig last summer and signed a contract until 2020 with huge chances directly to qualify for CL next season playing in a young and exciting team.

You must have lived under stones to not know Red Bull and how they operate. They have huge ambitions and wont bend over, when a top club comes knocking, so to think you can go there and pick their players is just laughable.

Pipe down. If Jose and United want him, they will go and get him. It's as simple as that.
 
A prolific top striker, right winger who can chip in with goals, a sitting midfielder to replace Carrick and a new RB to replace Darmian.
 
I think Griezmann + a DM will be our summer business and nothing more. For DM I can imagine Mourinho monitoring Fabinho and N'Zonzi.

Might also be looking for a LB if Shaw isn't to Mourinho's taste.

Goal scoring AM/winger: Griezmann? World class player but where will he fit in? Leaving Mata or Martial on the bench?

DM: Keita, Bakayoko?

LB: ?? Mou does not seem to rate Shaw.

Striker: Not as obvious as the other three positions, but we are overly reliant on Zlatan to lead the line. I guess a lot will depend on the progress of Rashford and if Mou thinks that he can cover for Zlatan or not. The latter seems more likely.
 
Midfield is a must, the depth is scary, we only have 2 mobile midfielders and they are both in the starting 11.
Could also give Jose more tactical options, I don't personally think a new carrick is out there so some like nainggolan would be great.
A midfield of him Herrera and Pogba would be fierce in big games, he could also provide competition for Herrera in the first 11 for weaker opponents.

After that the same as everyone else;
Griezman seems a done deal
versatile defender

I think we would benefit more from a few tweaks to the side for the first time in years rather than some posts who want 6 new players
 
The 4 signings last summer were obvious in terms of the positions Mourinho would target, this summer looks similarly clear:
Left back (unless there is belief that Shaw can get back to where he was)
Defensive midfielder (back up/upgrade on Herrera)
Right winger/number 10 (upgrade on Mata)

I thought a centre back was likely but Bailly-Smalling has potential so will depend on the remainder of the season.
 
25 man squad

GK (3): De Gea, Pereira, Henderson

RB (2): Valencia, +1 (Semedo?)

LB
(2): Shaw, Blind (Only if Shaw can start performing, otherwise there will be a new starting LB)

CB (4): Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Lindelof or Smalling

CM
(5): Pogba, Herrera, +1 new CDM or B2B (Saul, Bakayoko, Keita, Fabinho etc), Fellaini, Pereira

AM L/R (4): Martial, Mata, Lingard, +1 new (Bernado?)

AM C
(2): Mkhitaryan, +1 new (Greizmann?)

F C
(2): Ibrahimovich, Rashford

25th Man: Carrick

Obviously some positions are flexible, such as Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Greizmann and Bernado. But that would be an exceptional squad. The following year add an Icardi/Lukaku type.

Out: Rooney, Young, Schweinsteiger, Smalling (maybe), Romero, Darmian, Fosu-Mensah (loan)

Believe Fellaini will stay.
 
Grizou & Balde Keita would be absolutely satisfying imo. Their ability to play at highest tempo could make us deadly and that's probably a priority for United. If what Keita said was true and he's dreaming about move to a club like United then he'll be motivated more to work with Martial in tearing opponents from both wings.

Defensive midfielder surely would be nice as it could trigger Pogba to attack more therefore score at even higher rate. Definitely could help despite being just a bit less of a priority than attacking lineup.

Defense already looking great as Jose did the magic and Rojo with Jones feel like a new signing combo. Totally different players, much less silly mistakes and interventions leading to serious injuries. Only add talent there in mood of Valencia if so or start giving more and more chances to TFM.
 
One the main reason why Sir Alex was able to build a great squad in every different generation (Bruce, Cantona, 1992s & Keane, Rooney, Ronaldo, Carrick, Valencia, RVP) was because he built a squad with combination of experience players with great history and winning mentality and young players with great potential. Wenger wasn't able to do it after the invincible team because he sold everyone and built a squad with almost full of youngsters and non experience players without winning mentality.

Carrick should play the role of Neville, Giggs and Scholes next season and shouldn't be left out from the squad in my opinion. His wage isn't as huge as Schweinsteiger and Rooney for someone who sits on the bench. I believe he can still play one more season.
 
I think it all hinges on us getting into the champions league. Last years plan was to take all of Mino Raiolas clients while we were out of Champs league to then sign Jorge Mendes clients when we get back into the top 4. So far so good but I think Mendes had his fingers bitten with the Di Maria deal and wants to ensure were in the champs league before he brings his stars here again for Mourinho.

Anyone know who Jorge Mendes clients are?
 
One b2b midfielder (Bakayoko, Naingollan, Saul)
One Am/rw (Greizmann)
One rb(Semedo)
One lb if Shaw flops(Mendy)