Looks reasonable. Not sure on Ozil still. Why is everyone inserting Sandro? Is it a done deal then?
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
I just put Sandro in because everyone else started to.
Ha ha ... fair enough! May be we can will this signing through. Great player if we can get him.
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.
The problem here is that neither Saul or Goretzka will offer much more control over the game as they are both more box to box attackers, where you can circumvent the issue we have with Pogba in a midfield 2 in any system is if the #10 offers more playmaking qualities than what we currently have, so he can help us keep the ball a lot better. The 3-4-3 also has the key element of taking away the tracking back wing duties from Martial and Rashford, allowing them to have more attacking freedom and at the same time give Lukaku a player near him at all times to link with, something he is much better at than holding the ball up which a 4-3-3 requires.
I think Jose will probably look for more an established option like Sandro than a kid like Tierny and the story has been doing the rounds from Castles, I just hope we don't settle for the vastly inferior Rose.
Yeah, hope so too. Just get the feeling we will get ripped off if we settle for Rose.
They are going to want at least the same fee they got for Walker and he just isn't worth it IMO.
if we keep the two-striker formation, we might need another striker, perhaps an experienced one to back up Rash-Tony-Luk.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.
If we can get a midfielder capable of playing CM and AM, someone like Koke for example; we could spend on a RW instead to provide cover and start when we play 4231 and 433:
Pogba Matic
Malcom Koke Martial
Lukaku
Malcom Koke Martial
Lukaku
Koke will back up Pogba and Herrera for Matic. Then there's Lingard, Rashford, Mata/Mkhi and ?Pereira. Signing a CM/AM hybrid will be killing two birds with one stone and we won't need to change the team against big teams that play 433.
Ideally if we sign a free Goretzka, then a pure 10 will do.
I'd say we would be okay in FB areas if Young can keep his current form: Young/Valencia - Shaw/Sandro.
Griezman, Sandro and a RB and we will be a more or less complete squad with no glaring weakness
Walker went for £45m and I'd gladly pay the same for Rose. His injury record is the only reason I'm sceptical and probably wouldn't.
You don't think we need a CM?
A hybrid would be ideal to offer the formation flexibility and give us that vital Pogba cover, I'm just not sure Koke or Goretzka provide the creativity that is needed in the formation, someone to really connect the midfield to the two strikers in the 3-4-1-2 we've been using.
Personally I don't think he's that good, he's decent but reliant on pace and athleticism, he lacks the technique and guile of the top fullback's IMO, he's a hit and hope type.
Koke, sure would, with the fullbacks providing full width and Pogba driving and instigating from midfield. Goretzka is the more defensive of the duo; sure he's got the guile, but obviously lack the creativity. That is why I won't be against signing a No.10 in his case as he's available for free.
That was the case with Walker too, but he's considerably improved technically since moving to City.
Insigne would solve a lot of our problems. Napoli out of UCL so Insigne, despite being cup tied, may be available in January. He did sign a contract extension in April this year, but may be tempted if the price was right. Incredible dribbling, acceleration with an eye for goal and a killer pass.
Naingollan, although 30 in the summer, would be a player who may be available at a decent price and would easily walk into our starting 11. He'd provide a lot of what we missing when Pogba is out. I can't think of any other midfielder in the world apart from Modric who does what Naing does and to the level at which he does it.
Allan, another Napoli player who I think is seriously underrated. Phenomenal work rate and technical ability. Think he would bring a lot of missing composure to our midfield. He can also carry the ball forward, as well as being harrier.
Naingollan, although 30 in the summer, would be a player who may be available at a decent price and would easily walk into our starting 11. He'd provide a lot of what we missing when Pogba is out. I can't think of any other midfielder in the world apart from Modric who does what Naing does and to the level at which he does it.
Allan, another Napoli player who I think is seriously underrated. Phenomenal work rate and technical ability. Think he would bring a lot of missing composure to our midfield. He can also carry the ball forward, as well as being harrier.
I'd have Fred over any of those midfield alternatives. Naing won't be helping our teams ability on the ball in midfield, he's more of an all action midfielder which I'd say is a lessor midfielder.
CM - Either a passer like Kroos or someone mobile and technically very good like Modric to help win the midfield battle and free up Pogba. Koke would be great, but unlikely. Seri is an intriguing option and definitely available. I haven't seen Milinkovic-Savic so can't comment. Same for Arthur, the Brazilian kid, but he sounds stylistically perfect.
RW - A dribbler who is good in the middle 3rd and not a forward out on the wing since we have those already. Basically a right-sided Hazard would be ideal. Pulisic seems like the best bet. Might be Griezmann even if it's not a perfect fit, a lot of quality and he can play as a 10 in the 3-4-1-2 in tougher games and the 4-2-3-1 in easier ones.
LB - Whoever the best LB we can get is. I'm a little warier of 27-28 year old guys than most since I think fullbacks often have their best years in their mid 20s, so I don't think we need to sign Rose or Sandro necessarily.
RB - A prospect who can take a year to learn what Mourinho likes and take over in 2018-19 from Valencia
RW - A dribbler who is good in the middle 3rd and not a forward out on the wing since we have those already. Basically a right-sided Hazard would be ideal. Pulisic seems like the best bet. Might be Griezmann even if it's not a perfect fit, a lot of quality and he can play as a 10 in the 3-4-1-2 in tougher games and the 4-2-3-1 in easier ones.
LB - Whoever the best LB we can get is. I'm a little warier of 27-28 year old guys than most since I think fullbacks often have their best years in their mid 20s, so I don't think we need to sign Rose or Sandro necessarily.
RB - A prospect who can take a year to learn what Mourinho likes and take over in 2018-19 from Valencia
CM - If we're willing to use Pogba as the 10, and get a right winger that can contribute to goal scoring (Both Rashford and Martial are better on the left, and Mkhitaryan and Mata are unreliable), then a technically sound midfielder that can help create. I am not really sure who's attainable and good enough to start in this position. I think this or converting to a midfield three is probably the best way forward for us and Mourinho. Yes Pogba's not a natural number 10, he doesn't have to play like most 10's, he can be a bit deeper, etc.
RW - Someone that can both contribute to scoring and creating (yes its broad... But any good winger will do compared to our current options).
AM/#10 - I think Griezmann isn't a realistic option anymore. Furthermore, there's no way Griezmann would be relegated to the wing if he signed, this is pretty much the position he'd play in most games. I think Ozil is the best and most realistic option, yes we can get him free in the summer but I'd hope that we force a move in January. The only issue is he doesn't necessarily contribute in scoring goals often, but his creative ability should free up pogba at times. Of course if we get this we should opt for a back up for Pogba, rather than a first team central midfielder.
I was originally against Ozil, but his creativity is unquestionable and he was most effective under Mourinho. This is also probably his last big contract opportunity, and I'd hope he's ambitious enough to not stay at Arsenal for the last few years of his career (whilst subsequently hurting his position in the German NT). He's also sponsored by adidas, which is a nice tie in.
LB - Best left back option available in January. Dont care if its Rose, Sandro or whoever. By far our weakest role, Young has performed admirably at times but against decent teams he can easily be found out as his left foot is largely useless.
Right Back - I honestly thought we should've signed a right back in the transfer window, Valencia is quite poor going forward (ironic for a winger converted to a fullback...), but I suppose he makes up for it with his experience, leadership, etc. I think florenzi would be a good shout in the summer.
RW - Someone that can both contribute to scoring and creating (yes its broad... But any good winger will do compared to our current options).
AM/#10 - I think Griezmann isn't a realistic option anymore. Furthermore, there's no way Griezmann would be relegated to the wing if he signed, this is pretty much the position he'd play in most games. I think Ozil is the best and most realistic option, yes we can get him free in the summer but I'd hope that we force a move in January. The only issue is he doesn't necessarily contribute in scoring goals often, but his creative ability should free up pogba at times. Of course if we get this we should opt for a back up for Pogba, rather than a first team central midfielder.
I was originally against Ozil, but his creativity is unquestionable and he was most effective under Mourinho. This is also probably his last big contract opportunity, and I'd hope he's ambitious enough to not stay at Arsenal for the last few years of his career (whilst subsequently hurting his position in the German NT). He's also sponsored by adidas, which is a nice tie in.
LB - Best left back option available in January. Dont care if its Rose, Sandro or whoever. By far our weakest role, Young has performed admirably at times but against decent teams he can easily be found out as his left foot is largely useless.
Right Back - I honestly thought we should've signed a right back in the transfer window, Valencia is quite poor going forward (ironic for a winger converted to a fullback...), but I suppose he makes up for it with his experience, leadership, etc. I think florenzi would be a good shout in the summer.
ST: Griezmann
RW: Pulisic / Bailey
AM: Ozil for free
CM: Savic / Goretzka
LB: Alex Sandro
RB: Thomas Meunier
RW: Pulisic / Bailey
AM: Ozil for free
CM: Savic / Goretzka
LB: Alex Sandro
RB: Thomas Meunier
I'd throw in a CM and a proper no.10 as well. I'm stunned I feel we are still 5 signings away from making our squad good enough to challenge for the league. Goretzka and Ozil would do nicely on frees freeing up the cash for the 3 you've mentioned.
ST: Griezmann
RW: Pulisic / Bailey
AM: Ozil for free
CM: Savic / Goretzka
LB: Alex Sandro
RB: Thomas Meunier
Tasty
After today's performance I think we should try for Ozil and Mahrez in January. Give us some much needed creativity up front.
We'd definitely get more out of the system we've played the last 2 games with these 2 on the teamsheet. Difficult to make happen though as Mahrez has again become key to Leicester and Ozil, well, surely Wenger won't sell to us
We need to improve our defence instead. That way we can take teams onto us more and open space on the counter.
Am I the only one here who wants a CAM more in the mold of Alli than Özil (not that I don't appreciate his creativity)? His form has been in the gutter as of late, but I still rate him.
Also want Malcom from Bordeaux at RW/RM; not buying into the Bale to United hype machine, rather let Levy deal with the injury woes. Give Shaw another season to take over for Young at LB. Add SMS as a midfield partner for Pogba and Meunier to replace Valencia and we should be set for the following season.
Also want Malcom from Bordeaux at RW/RM; not buying into the Bale to United hype machine, rather let Levy deal with the injury woes. Give Shaw another season to take over for Young at LB. Add SMS as a midfield partner for Pogba and Meunier to replace Valencia and we should be set for the following season.
Honestly this is slightly off topic but if Mou can't build a creative side with Mata, Mhikhitaryan, Pogba and Herrera, the players aren't the problem.
I have a new Muppet list:
Özil
Mahrez
Fabinho (RB and DM cover)
Sandro
Goretzka
150m should do it
Özil
Mahrez
Fabinho (RB and DM cover)
Sandro
Goretzka
150m should do it
Dream Jan/summer combined windows:
LB - Alex Sandro
RB - Thomas Meunier
CM - Miralem Pjanic
FW - Christian Eriksen
ST - Timo Werner
Reality:
LB - Danny Rose
RM/CM - Carlos Soler
#10 Ozil
LB - Alex Sandro
RB - Thomas Meunier
CM - Miralem Pjanic
FW - Christian Eriksen
ST - Timo Werner
Reality:
LB - Danny Rose
RM/CM - Carlos Soler
#10 Ozil
Do you not think given how poor lukaku is at general play that we need to get a second striker or experienced 10 to support him rather than pogba or a midfield 3 ?
Looking back, i agree with your point about us lacking one more player to control the game. Bernardo Silva would have been great to have on the right, as he moves inside and links midfield and attack.
Martial, Rashford and Lukaku all certainly benefits from a 2 striker system.
I still think 3-4-1-2 is too open in midfield, but if we could get a 8/10 hybrid who is comfortable defending, so that in defensive phases he moves back in CM making it a 5-3-2, that would be ideal.
The thing is, playmaking number #10's are a bit dead. Players like Eriksen, David Silva and Ozil are rare. I'm not sure you will find the player you are looking for, unless you go for the mentioned, but you're not a fan of Ozil, and Eriksen would be very difficult to get out of Levy's grip.
We have shown that we can create plenty of chances with a front three of Martial, Lingard and Lukaku, as long as Pogba is fit, so a player like Savic could be a good option. Pogba and SMS would then switch between helping in the build-up and bulldozing forward, as they share many of the same qualities.
Martial Lukaku
Savic Pogba
Sandro----Matic----NewRB
Rojo Vic Eric
DDG
With the 4-3-3, players like Parejo or Seri would probably be better fits than Goretzka and Saul. But besides them, it's difficult finding CM's with playmaking capabilites. And it would require a change in style of play, bit more possession orientated, which Mou won't like.
Still think Mourinho will buy players with the 4-2-3-1 in mind. So we are most likely looking at Ozil.
I think we will see something like this next season:
Lukaku
Martial Ozil Willian
Matic Pogba
Rose Rojo Bailly New
DDG
Lukaku
Martial Ozil Willian
Matic Pogba
Rose Rojo Bailly New
DDG
We actually need two CM's, one to play in a three with Pogba and Matic and a two with Matic when we rest Pogba, and one to rotate with Matic who we can't run into the ground.
I agree that we are too open at times in the 3-4-3 and this is really an issue with any formation that puts Pogba in a midfield 2, even with a 3rd CB, teams are able to get right onto that back 3 too easily as there is so much space in midfield, so I'd opt for a #10/AM that can dovetail into more of a midfield 3 as well, I'm just not sure Savic is the right fit, he's almost a carbon copy of Pogba, I think someone that offers more control and the ability to set the tempo would be a better fit, someone like Pjanic, I just think Savic has the same indiscipline and lack of patience as Pogba and we need a contrast to compliment him.
I fear you might be right and then he'll shoehorn Ozil on the RW and bring in an extra clogger in midfield any time we play a good team, it's so generic and Willian as the RW addition would be about as dull as it could get, our transformation into Chelsea 2.0 would be complete.
I would say that the objective now is to secure the second place, and trying to do well in one of the three cups.
CL, trying to reach the QF would be very good for our team. And then trying to win the League Cup or the FA Cup.
But to do that we need genuine quality. I know that this market is difficult but we should try to buy one or two players.
I would boost our team with Alex Sandro and Mesut Ozil. With a real left back and a creative play maker.
Both would suit the 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2.
Of course, I would let Darmian and Mkhitaryan (and maybe Blind) leave this winter.
4-2-3-1 (with subs)
De Gea (Romero)
Valencia (Young)
Smalling (Lindelof)
Jones (Bailly/Rojo)
Alex Sandro (Shaw)
Matic (Herrera)
Pogba (Carrick if not retired)
Lingard (Mata)
Ozil ( Fellaini if not leaving)
Martial (Rashford)
Lukaku (Ibra)
3-5-2 (with subs)
De Gea (Romero)
Jones (Bailly)
Smalling (Lindelof)
Rojo (Blind)
Valencia (Young)
Matic (Herrera)
Pogba (Carrick if not retired)
Alex Sandro (Shaw)
Ozil ( Fellaini if not leaving)
Martial (Rashford)
Lukaku (Ibra)
CL, trying to reach the QF would be very good for our team. And then trying to win the League Cup or the FA Cup.
But to do that we need genuine quality. I know that this market is difficult but we should try to buy one or two players.
I would boost our team with Alex Sandro and Mesut Ozil. With a real left back and a creative play maker.
Both would suit the 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2.
Of course, I would let Darmian and Mkhitaryan (and maybe Blind) leave this winter.
4-2-3-1 (with subs)
De Gea (Romero)
Valencia (Young)
Smalling (Lindelof)
Jones (Bailly/Rojo)
Alex Sandro (Shaw)
Matic (Herrera)
Pogba (Carrick if not retired)
Lingard (Mata)
Ozil ( Fellaini if not leaving)
Martial (Rashford)
Lukaku (Ibra)
3-5-2 (with subs)
De Gea (Romero)
Jones (Bailly)
Smalling (Lindelof)
Rojo (Blind)
Valencia (Young)
Matic (Herrera)
Pogba (Carrick if not retired)
Alex Sandro (Shaw)
Ozil ( Fellaini if not leaving)
Martial (Rashford)
Lukaku (Ibra)
I think only the following players have a future at Man Utd:
De Gea, Lukaku, Matic, Lindelof, Pogba, Bailly, Martial, Shaw (50/50).
I think we need 4-5 players:
Alex Sandro - LB
Thomas Meunier - RB
Vanja Milinković-Savić - CM
Christian Pulisic - RW
What do you guys think?
De Gea, Lukaku, Matic, Lindelof, Pogba, Bailly, Martial, Shaw (50/50).
I think we need 4-5 players:
Alex Sandro - LB
Thomas Meunier - RB
Vanja Milinković-Savić - CM
Christian Pulisic - RW
What do you guys think?
Theres talk in the papers Gaitan will be up for sale in Jan.Its finally going to happen.
I'm not 100% sure about SMS but the other 3 would be great buys.
Leon Goretzka was my other shout. From what I'm reading online, it looks like we might actually be interested in Pulisic.
Summer Ins
Sandro(LB)
Savic(CM)
Ozil(No.10)
Mahrez(RW)
Summer Out
Carrick
Blind
Darmian
Fellaini
Mikhtaryan
Probable 25 man squad with 3-5-2 formation
4-2-3-1
Sandro(LB)
Savic(CM)
Ozil(No.10)
Mahrez(RW)
Summer Out
Carrick
Blind
Darmian
Fellaini
Mikhtaryan
Probable 25 man squad with 3-5-2 formation
4-2-3-1
Last edited:
I like Goretzka but like SMS he is box to box, I feel like we need someone who is more of a passer and can sit a bit deeper to allow Pogba freedom, one of the big issues we see in every formation we try is we are too easy to run through the middle of with Pogba and a #10 in there. Of all the young forward players Pulisic is my favourite option, very mutli skilled and versatile.
The more I see of us the more I think a second creative CM is a key buy, not a #10 or SS, but a #8 that has progressive passing but who is also capable of dropping in and helping Matic to free up Pogba while not losing control of the game or leaving us so wide open to the counter.
We build slowly and manage our budget so I imagine we'll ignore RB for another year and will probably leave Matic without cover for another season as well. So that would be 3 top class signings over the next two windows, which seems manageable, and perhaps a couple of young prospects like Sessegnon and Kluivert.
If Mourinho insists on the 4-3-2-1 then we'll buy a #10/SS and will need a 4th player, a CM that's willing to spend most of the time on the bench.
We build slowly and manage our budget so I imagine we'll ignore RB for another year and will probably leave Matic without cover for another season as well. So that would be 3 top class signings over the next two windows, which seems manageable, and perhaps a couple of young prospects like Sessegnon and Kluivert.
If Mourinho insists on the 4-3-2-1 then we'll buy a #10/SS and will need a 4th player, a CM that's willing to spend most of the time on the bench.
Meunier
Sandro
Savic
Seri
Ozil
Dybala
--------------------------DDG-----------------------------
------------------------(Romero)-------------------------
-------------Bailly------Lindelöf----Rojo-----------------
-----------(Tuanzebe)--(Jones)----(Blind)--------------
Meunier------------------Matic-----------------Sandro
(Valencia)----------------(Seri)-----------------(Shaw)
-----------------Pogba-------------Ozil------------------
-----------------(Savic)----------(Lingard)----------------
-----------------Lukaku-------------Dybala--------------
-----------------(Rashford)---------(Martial)------------
Sandro
Savic
Seri
Ozil
Dybala
--------------------------DDG-----------------------------
------------------------(Romero)-------------------------
-------------Bailly------Lindelöf----Rojo-----------------
-----------(Tuanzebe)--(Jones)----(Blind)--------------
Meunier------------------Matic-----------------Sandro
(Valencia)----------------(Seri)-----------------(Shaw)
-----------------Pogba-------------Ozil------------------
-----------------(Savic)----------(Lingard)----------------
-----------------Lukaku-------------Dybala--------------
-----------------(Rashford)---------(Martial)------------
More I think of who to sign and for what position, it brings me to the point where we have so many out-goings we also need to address.
We desperately need a RW, that for me Is the standout area we are lacking.
Valencia will need replacing also, so a RB could be an option for the summer.
With the inbalances in the squad and Jose's selection, and contract's issue I would say the following players could leave:
Mata
Miki
Ibra
Carrick
Fellaini
Blind
Darmian.
Now I don't think all will leave, but most likely we will need to recruit over the next 2 windows as the squad these days have to be competitive and full of capable players.
We need a CM (although that could be covered by Pereira coming back from loan and actually being used)
Ibra leaving is no loss really, as he is still injured and unlikely to regain best form. We have Rashford and Lukaku to compete for the 1 striking role / Martial also.
Our wide areas need focus as Martial can be our left attacker, we need a signing in the RW area. I'd like to see Lingard only used centrally and Rashford only used as a striker, so another wide option is needed
If Fellaini goes, I'd like us to use Periera more but we would also need an additional CM for squad depth
We desperately need a RW, that for me Is the standout area we are lacking.
Valencia will need replacing also, so a RB could be an option for the summer.
With the inbalances in the squad and Jose's selection, and contract's issue I would say the following players could leave:
Mata
Miki
Ibra
Carrick
Fellaini
Blind
Darmian.
Now I don't think all will leave, but most likely we will need to recruit over the next 2 windows as the squad these days have to be competitive and full of capable players.
We need a CM (although that could be covered by Pereira coming back from loan and actually being used)
Ibra leaving is no loss really, as he is still injured and unlikely to regain best form. We have Rashford and Lukaku to compete for the 1 striking role / Martial also.
Our wide areas need focus as Martial can be our left attacker, we need a signing in the RW area. I'd like to see Lingard only used centrally and Rashford only used as a striker, so another wide option is needed
If Fellaini goes, I'd like us to use Periera more but we would also need an additional CM for squad depth