Yes. As i said is not a priority.
We could buy/loan.
Dortmund is scouting him there in Argentina.
This one is very promissing.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
We could buy/loan.
Dortmund is scouting him there in Argentina.
This one is very promissing.
even watford has good rb/lb in kiko/janmaat and zanega/holebas... not to mention city, arsenal, spurs and chelsea....
Wonder why club like united failed to address the issue. After SAF reign we failed to replace G.Nev and Evra until now
Wonder why club like united failed to address the issue. After SAF reign we failed to replace G.Nev and Evra until now
Not sure about Watford, Silva will be happy to have Darmian in his XI. From I heard Holebas only good with his set pieces or corner and they need him for that. Overall he's not that good.
Examples for a 150 m£ budget:
Griezmann
+ Sandro/Gaya/Grimaldo/Tierney/Rose/Sessegnong/
Or
Fekir
Alex Sandro
CM
I think that with the squad we have we should build on the formation we played against Watford today. I'd like to see us get three players, but if we get the right ones I would be content with just two. Considering that we have a very strong spine already and that we're using strikers for wingers and wingers for full-backs I think that going for a narrower formation with wing-backs would make alot of sense. Either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2.
Lingard did well today and he plays that #10 role alot like how I imagine Griezmann would, only to less effect.
I also think that a diamond 4-4-2 would suit us alot, maybe even better, apart from prohibiting some of our many CBs. We'd also have to sort out our midfield situation, if Fellaini and Ander stays beyond the summer then we could easily use it regularly without breaking the budget.
Griezmann
+ Sandro/Gaya/Grimaldo/Tierney/Rose/Sessegnong/
Or
Fekir
Alex Sandro
CM
I think that with the squad we have we should build on the formation we played against Watford today. I'd like to see us get three players, but if we get the right ones I would be content with just two. Considering that we have a very strong spine already and that we're using strikers for wingers and wingers for full-backs I think that going for a narrower formation with wing-backs would make alot of sense. Either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2.
Lingard did well today and he plays that #10 role alot like how I imagine Griezmann would, only to less effect.
I also think that a diamond 4-4-2 would suit us alot, maybe even better, apart from prohibiting some of our many CBs. We'd also have to sort out our midfield situation, if Fellaini and Ander stays beyond the summer then we could easily use it regularly without breaking the budget.
Yeah, LW.
How many players do ee have that can do a decent job there? Martial makes one. And... that's it.
Depth, mate. Depth.
Rashford?
Having watched him more recently, I think Sergey Milinkovic-Savic is one who should be right near the top of United's shopping lists.
Whilst it does mean losing Fellaini - and most likely for free at that - Savic can do everything he does in terms of being an aerial threat and physical presence in midfield but is a much better footballer, he would provide insurance for Pogba + should be able to play in a midfield 3 with Pogba and Matic/Herrera or #10 in a 4-2-3-1.
Will probably set them back £60-70m but I think it would be worth it (assuming he continues to have a good season and proves last year wasn't a fluke).
Other than that, despite Young's recent form they probably still need a LB. I still think Danny Rose should be the guy, I don't buy the injury concerns to be honest as he's had a couple of bad injuries (knee ligaments + broken foot) that you can't really account for and he seems a safer option than some of the prospects who've been touted. They can exercise the option of Young and have him as cover at LB + competition/rotate with Valencia at RB for a more attacking option at that position.
RW would still be an issue, however they could potential switch long-term to the 5-3-2 they used yesterday, or even a 4-4-2 diamond might work with the midfield options they could have next year. Matic/Herrera at the base, Pogba/Savic/Herrera as the two wide B2B types covering the lateral space and drifting wide to support the FB's for width, and Savic/Mata/Lingard at the head.
Whilst it does mean losing Fellaini - and most likely for free at that - Savic can do everything he does in terms of being an aerial threat and physical presence in midfield but is a much better footballer, he would provide insurance for Pogba + should be able to play in a midfield 3 with Pogba and Matic/Herrera or #10 in a 4-2-3-1.
Will probably set them back £60-70m but I think it would be worth it (assuming he continues to have a good season and proves last year wasn't a fluke).
Other than that, despite Young's recent form they probably still need a LB. I still think Danny Rose should be the guy, I don't buy the injury concerns to be honest as he's had a couple of bad injuries (knee ligaments + broken foot) that you can't really account for and he seems a safer option than some of the prospects who've been touted. They can exercise the option of Young and have him as cover at LB + competition/rotate with Valencia at RB for a more attacking option at that position.
RW would still be an issue, however they could potential switch long-term to the 5-3-2 they used yesterday, or even a 4-4-2 diamond might work with the midfield options they could have next year. Matic/Herrera at the base, Pogba/Savic/Herrera as the two wide B2B types covering the lateral space and drifting wide to support the FB's for width, and Savic/Mata/Lingard at the head.
I've started to like 343 the more I think about it and it would suit us well imo with only needing arguably two signings:
Martial - Lukaku - Griezmann
Rose - Matic - Pogba - Valencia
Rojo - Bailly - Lindelöf
De Gea
A third of fourth signing would be another RB (Meunier, Vrsaljko?) or another central midfielder (Seri, Savic?). Griezmann and Martial basically just playing as wide strikers the way Salah does for Liverpool. Still questions marks over Lukaku but we're stuck with him for now. Also question marks over Lindelöf too I guess but he looked rejuvenated playing on the right of a 3. Would still bite your hand off for van Dijk though.Rose - Matic - Pogba - Valencia
Rojo - Bailly - Lindelöf
De Gea
Rashford plays better, and has lately played more frequently, on the right.
I don't see Rashford being a world class LW. Martial? Yeah.
But that's just one and I think we need non-Martial options for that position.
Hmm, not sure many would agree with that.
Aren't the only games he's played there recently Newcastle and as a sub against Brighton? The former he played well but they are shocking defensively and against Brighton he kind of moved around, didn't have a huge impact anyway and had 10 minutes against a tired defence. I think we need a greater sample than that to suggest that's now his best position, I think very few would be convinced of that, Mourinho for one has said his best/favoured position is wide-left.
Well if that is truly where the manager sees his future then no, we don't another LW.
We would in that case need a RW and to use A.Pereira as cover there, perhaps.
Based on my analysis post Watford game, I would say that we definitely need:
RW - I've been repeating myself since the start of summer. We need a proper RW. Mourinho wanted to play a 3-5-2 and wanted Perisic and Valencia to be our wingbacks. However, that didn't happen and so he went back to a back 4 and last season's formation which is essentially the 4-2-3-1. I think 4-2-3-1 is our best formation with just a back 4. For this to work, we actually need a class RW. Just because Lingard produced a match-winning performance, it does not mean he's the RW we need. We need some genuine consistent winger who can bombard the RW with crosses. There are plenty of strikers out there. But I would like to have Sanchez. We honestly can't let him go to City.
ST - Yes, we did get a striker in Lukaku but we need another proper striker to come in when he isn't playing well. Yes, we do have Rashford and Martial but I feel playing Rashford as a winger has stunted his growth as a striker. I would like him to be played more often as a ST perhaps in the cup games. In the meantime, we need someone like a Chicharito who can come on when Lukaku isn't firing and can also start some games for us. Griezmann can lead the line as well play as SS.
LB - A no brainer
Sanchez, Griezmann, Rose if we are being conservative
RW - I've been repeating myself since the start of summer. We need a proper RW. Mourinho wanted to play a 3-5-2 and wanted Perisic and Valencia to be our wingbacks. However, that didn't happen and so he went back to a back 4 and last season's formation which is essentially the 4-2-3-1. I think 4-2-3-1 is our best formation with just a back 4. For this to work, we actually need a class RW. Just because Lingard produced a match-winning performance, it does not mean he's the RW we need. We need some genuine consistent winger who can bombard the RW with crosses. There are plenty of strikers out there. But I would like to have Sanchez. We honestly can't let him go to City.
ST - Yes, we did get a striker in Lukaku but we need another proper striker to come in when he isn't playing well. Yes, we do have Rashford and Martial but I feel playing Rashford as a winger has stunted his growth as a striker. I would like him to be played more often as a ST perhaps in the cup games. In the meantime, we need someone like a Chicharito who can come on when Lukaku isn't firing and can also start some games for us. Griezmann can lead the line as well play as SS.
LB - A no brainer
Sanchez, Griezmann, Rose if we are being conservative
Griezmann + LB. That would already help a lot. Then maybe some midfielder. Right now we are Pogba's injury far away from problems. I would say 3 signings.
We need rw, lb and seems to me we will go for new no10. Jose loves that position and he realized that milhi is not that player. So, what we will bring now and what in summer?
In my dream scenario;
Griezman- january( atletico is oit of champ league and they hardly can do something in la liga). Give them that 100mil .
Rose- summer. No brainer. He wants to go.
Ozil- summer. Free.
One remark. I am delighted with young but in a long run we need true lb.
In my dream scenario;
Griezman- january( atletico is oit of champ league and they hardly can do something in la liga). Give them that 100mil .
Rose- summer. No brainer. He wants to go.
Ozil- summer. Free.
One remark. I am delighted with young but in a long run we need true lb.
I hope some of our younger players, who earn significant playing time, get a chance to win starting roles before spending large fees and wages in the summer window on high profile transfers.
I'd like to see Martial played as a secondary striker/#10 with Lukaku in a 3-5-1-1, which suits Mourinho's defensive priorities while providing a versatile, multi pronged attack. I think Martial's attacking skills would be more useful centrally than in the more confined left wing area.
I'd like to see Pereira brought back in January to play right center mid in the midfield 5 because I think he would bring more attacking skill to that role than either Fellaini or Herrera.
I'd like to see Lingard and Rashford get some time at right wingback. Lingard because he was LVG's pick for that position in his first PL match before getting a serious injury. Rashford because he is similar in physical and technical abilities to Valencia when he was a young winger.
I'd like to see Martial played as a secondary striker/#10 with Lukaku in a 3-5-1-1, which suits Mourinho's defensive priorities while providing a versatile, multi pronged attack. I think Martial's attacking skills would be more useful centrally than in the more confined left wing area.
I'd like to see Pereira brought back in January to play right center mid in the midfield 5 because I think he would bring more attacking skill to that role than either Fellaini or Herrera.
I'd like to see Lingard and Rashford get some time at right wingback. Lingard because he was LVG's pick for that position in his first PL match before getting a serious injury. Rashford because he is similar in physical and technical abilities to Valencia when he was a young winger.
Martial, even when played centrally always drifts wide, I think he is suited to the left wide forward role best.
Cannot agree once bit that Lingard or Rashford should be anywhere near the right wing back role. Lingard could possible do it as his best asset is running around, although I do not think he can defend as good as needed for this position. lingard seems more effective roaming and finding pockets of space, but he isn't quite good enough to be a regular utd starter wherever he plays. And Rashford, who has the potential to be prolific up front, lets turn one of our most dynamic forward players into a wing back?? Get a grip
Would we perhaps need a young DM?
Matic can't play every match, and Carrick might hang up his boots this summer.
With Fellaini stalling on a new deal we'd be light in the midfield department. Ideally we would get both a Savic type player and a DM, but I can't see how we can afford it with needing a new RW\LB and #10 as well.
Selling Darmian, Blind, Mkhi and Shaw might help finance it a bit.
Matic can't play every match, and Carrick might hang up his boots this summer.
With Fellaini stalling on a new deal we'd be light in the midfield department. Ideally we would get both a Savic type player and a DM, but I can't see how we can afford it with needing a new RW\LB and #10 as well.
Selling Darmian, Blind, Mkhi and Shaw might help finance it a bit.
We could do with 3 G's - Griezmann, Goretzka, Ghoulam!
I imagine we'll start from Mourinho'sfavoured base formation, in which case RW and #10 will be the key signgings outside of the obvious need for a couple of fullbacks.
If Jose starts seeing the 3-4-3 as the way forward then I guess the 4th buy would be either another CM or another striker.
If Jose starts seeing the 3-4-3 as the way forward then I guess the 4th buy would be either another CM or another striker.
I am really liking the idea of being smart with our transfers. More Bayern than City.
Sure we have the cash to compete but this has and has not yielded great results. For every Pogba there is a Di Maria.
Ozil makes great sense, good player and low risk on outlay. Gorezka again low cost and good fit. Matic is a great example too. Mctierney over say Rose or Sandro for mega bucks.
Sure we have the cash to compete but this has and has not yielded great results. For every Pogba there is a Di Maria.
Ozil makes great sense, good player and low risk on outlay. Gorezka again low cost and good fit. Matic is a great example too. Mctierney over say Rose or Sandro for mega bucks.
We dont need four players. We need about two.
Of course, until we drop a 1/10 perfomance in our next game.
We need 2 new fullbacks, a #10 and a RW, and CM cover as well.
LB/LWB
CM
RW/RWB
CAM
CM
RW/RWB
CAM
Don't really think we need a CM if Pereira comes back. Between him, Pogba, Matic and Herrera we'd have as much depth as you can have without having squad management problems. And that's all assuming that Carrick and Fellaini leave at the end of the year. If we bring another CM then Pereira will choose to leave and I'd like him to get a chance first. He's shown enough to be given that chance, for me.
I agree regarding the fullbacks and RW for sure. I still have my reservations about a pure #10 personally. I'm thinking Pogba as part of a midfield 3 with more freedom would score and assists loads. He still kinda does it as part of a midfield two, but then we don't have enough presence in midfield is some games and surrender possession too easily.
I like Pereira but even if he does get a chance it wont be as a CM in my view, he'll get it on the flanks, but I am skeptical that he'll come back in truth, I think McTominay is more likely to get the young CM squad spot, plus we have to think how bad we look every time we lose Pogba, none of the CM's we have can offer the creative drive, we need to solve that issue.
The thing for me is Pogba has been more creative and more dangerous this season playing in the 2 man midfield than he has been when we've played him in a 3, he's playing himself into games playing deeper and is great at making those second man runs into the box, where as when he's higher up he tends to get frustrated with his back ending up towards goal. I do agree we struggle to control games against better opposition with him in a 2, but whether it's a #10 or another top CM to play as a 3 with Pogba and Matic, we need that top addition IMO.
Just thinking about the issue we have whenever Pogba is missing, if we bought to be able to play 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 at their best, we could do this with 4 buys.
Then when we have our annual Pogbaless period, we can switch to this.
Then when we have our annual Pogbaless period, we can switch to this.
@Devil may care Yeah, that's what I've been thinking, too. Only my choices would be Alex Sandro, Saul, Lemar and Meunier. But you could do essentially the same with those players as you suggested. Not sure whether Mourinho is going to go for the 4-3-3 instead of his 4-2-3-1 though.
Lemar as a #10? I can see the rest as interchangeable with my picks for sure. You're right that Jose might still want to go with his 4-2-3-1 but it's more difficult to avoid constantly having to drop one of your wide players or your #10 for big games with Jose as manager, which then makes buying top players harder as none will be keen on being the one dropped when those games come around. Using either set of players we are suggesting in a 4-3-3 would be strong enough to play the big games but also has enough firepower in it to beat the smaller teams, and is more plyable and would give us that elusive Pogba cover.
It was his main position during the 2015/16 season. He's also played there this season and last. Obviously not as much, but basically he can play any position behind the striker.
Meunier hasn't played a single minute in the CL. Does that mean he's not cuptied?
Goretzka or Savic and the United fan Pulisic
Yep, he's free to play for a team in the CL if he was transfered.
Fair enough, I think if we went for a player from Ligue 1 for that #10 role I'd prefer Fekir, he's looked back to his best this season.
My God, why is everyone so obsessed with a player being cuptied? He will be available for every PL, Carabao and FA cup games while missing just 2 UCL games if we don't reach the QF, 4 if we do, 6 if we reach the Semis and 7games if we reach the final. It's not like we don't have Valencia to play those games anyway.
If the 3-4-3 is to become our main formation and we can get Alex Sandro in January, then we would go into the summer needing two key signings and another CM. I know everyone is going to say Valencia is still pretty good but this system really requires two quality fullback options in each position as it's a demanding role that needs rotation, and I know some will say Shaw/Sandro at LB and Young/Valencia at RB, but ideally we'd have a younger option to rotate with Tony.
Just need to spend the bulk of the budget on a bit of magic to play behind the 2 strikers.
Just need to spend the bulk of the budget on a bit of magic to play behind the 2 strikers.
De Gea
Lindelöf Bailly Smalling
Valencia Matić Pogba Sandro
Özil
Lukaku Martial
With a few depth signings like a competitive RWB, a CM we’d be good to go. Rashford and Lingard rotating with Martial and Özil. Pereira back as well we’d have a really strong squad.
Lindelöf Bailly Smalling
Valencia Matić Pogba Sandro
Özil
Lukaku Martial
With a few depth signings like a competitive RWB, a CM we’d be good to go. Rashford and Lingard rotating with Martial and Özil. Pereira back as well we’d have a really strong squad.
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I'm not sure the 3-4-1-2 is the right formation going forward. Attack works well, but for some reason our midfield seems less organized in defensive situations.
A 4-3-3 would require a top CM and a creative right winger.
Saul or Goretzka would be great in a box-to-box role. Right wing is a bit tricky, as most of the ones available are quite young and probably not consistent, like Martial and Rashford. Pulisic or Malcom would be my choices, but Leon Bailey should be considered too, even though i think he is better on the left. Oyarzabal is interesting too, but haven't seen enough to vouch for him.
Something like this would be nice.
A 4-3-3 would require a top CM and a creative right winger.
Saul or Goretzka would be great in a box-to-box role. Right wing is a bit tricky, as most of the ones available are quite young and probably not consistent, like Martial and Rashford. Pulisic or Malcom would be my choices, but Leon Bailey should be considered too, even though i think he is better on the left. Oyarzabal is interesting too, but haven't seen enough to vouch for him.
Something like this would be nice.