Agreed on the 4 bolded, I dont' expect us to get all of them done in the next two windows though, not from Jose's recent comments.
To me Isco would go in the Iniesta role in a 4-3-3.
Isco
---------Kroos
--Casemiro
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
Agreed on the 4 bolded, I dont' expect us to get all of them done in the next two windows though, not from Jose's recent comments.
To me Isco would go in the Iniesta role in a 4-3-3.
Isco
---------Kroos
--Casemiro
As a 10 or tucked in winger, competing with Kovacic for the former spot and Asensio for the latter, or playing with both when Madrid want more skill out there and drop their DM to play Kovacic and Kroos as a pairing with Isco as a 10, Asensio on the right and an LW and a 9, presumably one of which will be Cristiano and the other a galactico to finally replace Benzema like Hazard, Neymar, Kane, Aguero, Dybala or some Mbappe like youth that explodes onto the scene, with Bale backing up both I guess.
With Isco being the better player than Kovacic, isn't it more likely he'll be the successor then? As you said, apart from when Real go ultra-attacking, he and Kovacic will be competing for one spot. Depending on how long Kovacic is happy with not being a starter, I think we could potentially strike a deal.
Though, from what I've seen, he seems to be more of a dribbler than someone to act as a metronome and dictate the flow of the game. Not to say he can't develop that, but he might be too similar to Pogba as well.
Yeah, this is what I imagined.
he should be organising the team to get the best out of Pogba (4-3-3)but leaving himself with the flexibility to play 4-2-3-1
I'd like to see Milinkovic-Savic and a playmaker like Weigl brought in to replace Carrick and Fellaini
Rashford/Martial should be rotated with Lukaku and Ibra should go
in the wide areas I'd like a player for the left and one for the right (Perisic/Mahrez/other)
I wonder about Shaw's ability to stay in the team in terms of fitness but I'm happy with him at left back with Young/Rojo/Mitchell at backup
right back is more pressing with Valencia's age so I'd target an attacking and defensively solid player there.
I'd like to see Periera become a squad player, Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah more involved too
outs: Mhiki or Mata, Darmian, Ibra, Fellaini and possibly Blind
I'd like to see Milinkovic-Savic and a playmaker like Weigl brought in to replace Carrick and Fellaini
Rashford/Martial should be rotated with Lukaku and Ibra should go
in the wide areas I'd like a player for the left and one for the right (Perisic/Mahrez/other)
I wonder about Shaw's ability to stay in the team in terms of fitness but I'm happy with him at left back with Young/Rojo/Mitchell at backup
right back is more pressing with Valencia's age so I'd target an attacking and defensively solid player there.
I'd like to see Periera become a squad player, Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah more involved too
outs: Mhiki or Mata, Darmian, Ibra, Fellaini and possibly Blind
The media are having a field day with us right now, Jose wants two fulbacks and an AM, then 2 marquee signings in the summer, on top of that is the Lucas Moura rumour, now we might not want a LB as Shaw is back in favour, it's a bit of a jumble.
For starters I'd be surprised to see that many come in, the method so far has been slow and steady, not the kind of overhaul LvG attempted. Jose loves his experienced players so I imagine Tony and Young will still be around and will probably rotate in the RB role. Shaw is doing everything possible to get the LB spot and I'm hoping he stays, but even so I think Blind and Darmian will be off so we'll need competition as the fullback role is a heavy workload in the modern game, I know we just extended Blind's deal but I don't think he's a good enough LB, his best games for us have been as a CB.
I'm not sure if we'll do anything in January, it's just hard to get the required quality, LB was where I thought we'd strengthen this window but that seems off the table until the summer, if it happens at all.
Maybe unattractive stop-gaps like Lucas and Lassa Diara.
The summer will be where our 2 key signings will come, filling in the two positions below with top quality is vital to upgrade the team and balance it out.
I order of preference.
CM
Pjanic
Kovacic
Weigl
Jorginho
Saul
Sergi Roberto
Soler
Forward
Dybala
Eriksen
Pulisic
Fekir
Griezmann
Ozil
For starters I'd be surprised to see that many come in, the method so far has been slow and steady, not the kind of overhaul LvG attempted. Jose loves his experienced players so I imagine Tony and Young will still be around and will probably rotate in the RB role. Shaw is doing everything possible to get the LB spot and I'm hoping he stays, but even so I think Blind and Darmian will be off so we'll need competition as the fullback role is a heavy workload in the modern game, I know we just extended Blind's deal but I don't think he's a good enough LB, his best games for us have been as a CB.
I'm not sure if we'll do anything in January, it's just hard to get the required quality, LB was where I thought we'd strengthen this window but that seems off the table until the summer, if it happens at all.
Maybe unattractive stop-gaps like Lucas and Lassa Diara.
The summer will be where our 2 key signings will come, filling in the two positions below with top quality is vital to upgrade the team and balance it out.
I order of preference.
CM
Pjanic
Kovacic
Weigl
Jorginho
Saul
Sergi Roberto
Soler
Forward
Dybala
Eriksen
Pulisic
Fekir
Griezmann
Ozil
Mou won't drop Lukaku.The media are having a field day with us right now, Jose wants two fulbacks and an AM, then 2 marquee signings in the summer, on top of that is the Lucas Moura rumour, now we might not want a LB as Shaw is back in favour, it's a bit of a jumble.
For starters I'd be surprised to see that many come in, the method so far has been slow and steady, not the kind of overhaul LvG attempted. Jose loves his experienced players so I imagine Tony and Young will still be around and will probably rotate in the RB role. Shaw is doing everything possible to get the LB spot and I'm hoping he stays, but even so I think Blind and Darmian will be off so we'll need competition as the fullback role is a heavy workload in the modern game, I know we just extended Blind's deal but I don't think he's a good enough LB, his best games for us have been as a CB.
I'm not sure if we'll do anything in January, it's just hard to get the required quality, LB was where I thought we'd strengthen this window but that seems off the table until the summer, if it happens at all.
Maybe unattractive stop-gaps like Lucas and Lassa Diara.
The summer will be where our 2 key signings will come, filling in the two positions below with top quality is vital to upgrade the team and balance it out.
I order of preference.
CM
Pjanic
Kovacic
Weigl
Jorginho
Saul
Sergi Roberto
Soler
Forward
Dybala
Eriksen
Pulisic
Fekir
Griezmann
Ozil
Yeah, Lingard or Martial will be dumped out in favour of him, but over time I'm hoping Martial can win the spot and we'll move to a more technically smooth, fluid front 3.
If we are signing 3 like Jose said, assuming Shaw comes good:
Sidibe - 30-40m
Mahrez - 40-50m.
Can't get better tbh.
Degea
Sidibe CB CB Shaw
Matic
Kovacic Pogba
Mahrez Martial
Lukaku
Kovacic - 40-50mSidibe - 30-40m
Mahrez - 40-50m.
Can't get better tbh.
I'd like to see the same. Probably won't happen under Jose though.
There has been talk of three signings, imo that ain't gonna cut it since I reckon we are gonna lose players like Carrick, Zlatan and probably Fellaini while Darmian and Blind should be sold, Mikhi, Herrera and Mata could as well although losing all of these players in one window is to much which is probably why we triggered that 1-year extension on some of them.
I would like to see us get two players in this window, go and get Fekir from Lyon and SMS from Lazio (if not him than Kovacic as the alternative though that would probably not happen until summer), neither is cup tied if I understand things correctly and both should be able to help us in the CL campaign as well as improve areas we need improvement.
Than go out next summer and get two fullbacks, Meunier from PSG and either Sessegnon from Fulham or Tierny from Celtic. Should not be to expensive and than get Pulisic from Dortmund in as well. Should be a good squad capable of different lineups as well.
I would like to keep Romero if he is happy playing second fiddle but he is being rumoured wanting away to play for the WC hence not included
Granted it is not perfect but this would leave some options.
GK: De Gea, J. Pereira
DL: Shaw, Young, Sessegnon/Tierny
DC: Bailly, Lindelöf, Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Tuanzebe
DR: Meunier, Valencia, TFM
ML: Martial, A. Pereira
MC: Matic, Pogba, SMS, Herrera, McTominay,
MR: Pulisic, Mata
AMC: Fekir, Lingard
ST: Lukaku, Rashford
Many of these players can play one or more position. Maybe a bit thin in midfield and wings but still feel this is a good squad, should give our attaach a shot in the arm.
This is just a dream scenario for me regarding some dream signing without going all out in fantasy land, Pulisic in my opinion is a no brainer, great talent and potential while he should be well marketable in the u.s. something the Glazers will love. While most of us would probably want a Dybala at Old Trafford I think Fekir can be a potentially great signing while leaving budget still for other areas.
Other scenarios could be something like try and get Sandro now as well as Mahrez, than sign Ozil on a free for next summer while also spending on a midfielder ala Weigl/SMS/Kovacic or someone else.
I would like to see us get two players in this window, go and get Fekir from Lyon and SMS from Lazio (if not him than Kovacic as the alternative though that would probably not happen until summer), neither is cup tied if I understand things correctly and both should be able to help us in the CL campaign as well as improve areas we need improvement.
Than go out next summer and get two fullbacks, Meunier from PSG and either Sessegnon from Fulham or Tierny from Celtic. Should not be to expensive and than get Pulisic from Dortmund in as well. Should be a good squad capable of different lineups as well.
I would like to keep Romero if he is happy playing second fiddle but he is being rumoured wanting away to play for the WC hence not included
Granted it is not perfect but this would leave some options.
GK: De Gea, J. Pereira
DL: Shaw, Young, Sessegnon/Tierny
DC: Bailly, Lindelöf, Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Tuanzebe
DR: Meunier, Valencia, TFM
ML: Martial, A. Pereira
MC: Matic, Pogba, SMS, Herrera, McTominay,
MR: Pulisic, Mata
AMC: Fekir, Lingard
ST: Lukaku, Rashford
Many of these players can play one or more position. Maybe a bit thin in midfield and wings but still feel this is a good squad, should give our attaach a shot in the arm.
This is just a dream scenario for me regarding some dream signing without going all out in fantasy land, Pulisic in my opinion is a no brainer, great talent and potential while he should be well marketable in the u.s. something the Glazers will love. While most of us would probably want a Dybala at Old Trafford I think Fekir can be a potentially great signing while leaving budget still for other areas.
Other scenarios could be something like try and get Sandro now as well as Mahrez, than sign Ozil on a free for next summer while also spending on a midfielder ala Weigl/SMS/Kovacic or someone else.
Agreed, but hopefully Jose at least tries to satick with the formation now Lukaku's back, I think it's more suited to him than trying to use him as a target man which he's not good at despite his size.
I'd love for us to sign Mahrez this month (no press on this though atm unforutnately), and then get the 3 essential top level players we need in the summer. That would be another attacking wide player or striker to compete with our young and inconsistent lot, a solid technical midfielder to fill the 3 with Matic & Pogba / if one of those is out, and a top right back since our two options there are getting on. Presuming Shaw continues to play, imo that'll give us a top team ready to compete with City etc.
I'd be reluctantly ok if we skipped out Mahrez and got those 3 in the summer instead, but imo you can't have enough top quality attacking options, especially if one like Mahrez is available and would be a significant upgrade on either Mikhi or Mata who we could then ship out. All the other top sides have top wide forwards (most have two) and we don't have a single one yet.
I'd be reluctantly ok if we skipped out Mahrez and got those 3 in the summer instead, but imo you can't have enough top quality attacking options, especially if one like Mahrez is available and would be a significant upgrade on either Mikhi or Mata who we could then ship out. All the other top sides have top wide forwards (most have two) and we don't have a single one yet.
The 3 positions most needed at this point in time are, as others have pointed out, possibly 2 CM, RW and RB I believe, add in the possibility of a #10 and LB depending on situations. If I was to give 3/4 options per position as well as likely or departures that should happen, it would look like this.
CM (Carrick Replacement) - Weigl, Jorginho, Rabiot
CM (Fellaini Replacement) - Milinkovic-Savic, Kai Havertz, Hojbjerg, Neves
RW - Pulisic, Lozano, Mahrez
RB - Meunier, Henrichs, (Fosu-Mensah)
Possibly needed..
#10 - Ozil (free), Draxler, Max Meyer, Fekir, (Kai Havertz)
LB - Tierney, Sessegnon
Youth
Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah, Pereira
Outgoings
Carrick, Ibra, Fellaini, Darmian, Blind, Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Rojo. Maybe even Mata.
Loan - McTominay
I would say the options for players to buy, at least one in each position ive listed should be gettable for us and would easily upgrade the position to no end, including some exciting talents for now and in the future.
CM (Carrick Replacement) - Weigl, Jorginho, Rabiot
CM (Fellaini Replacement) - Milinkovic-Savic, Kai Havertz, Hojbjerg, Neves
RW - Pulisic, Lozano, Mahrez
RB - Meunier, Henrichs, (Fosu-Mensah)
Possibly needed..
#10 - Ozil (free), Draxler, Max Meyer, Fekir, (Kai Havertz)
LB - Tierney, Sessegnon
Youth
Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah, Pereira
Outgoings
Carrick, Ibra, Fellaini, Darmian, Blind, Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Rojo. Maybe even Mata.
Loan - McTominay
I would say the options for players to buy, at least one in each position ive listed should be gettable for us and would easily upgrade the position to no end, including some exciting talents for now and in the future.
We need a AM/Creative Midfielder, a CM, Right Winger.
£50m right back - Alex Sandro
£70m cm - Sergej Savic
£40m RM - Mahrez
£30m RB/CM - Fabinho
If he happy with that. First team strengthend considerably and depth added to key positions. Be got some good youth to make up the extra numbers.
£70m cm - Sergej Savic
£40m RM - Mahrez
£30m RB/CM - Fabinho
If he happy with that. First team strengthend considerably and depth added to key positions. Be got some good youth to make up the extra numbers.
Need to address for start of next season:
> RW
> CM/AM (creative midfielder beside Pogba)
> RB or LB
> backup (rotational) CM/DM but of starting quality and who’s not a bum or just eating up a squad spot
...all have to be top quality/undoubtable first choice options other than the latter. That’s at the bare minimum 4 signings that HAVE to happen to address squad needs/weaknesses. Would be best off getting 1 or 2 (wishful thinking) done in January and leaving 2 or 3 for the Summer. All 4 in the Summer would be quite intense and worst case scenario with all the pressure that’d come with it.
> RW
> CM/AM (creative midfielder beside Pogba)
> RB or LB
> backup (rotational) CM/DM but of starting quality and who’s not a bum or just eating up a squad spot
...all have to be top quality/undoubtable first choice options other than the latter. That’s at the bare minimum 4 signings that HAVE to happen to address squad needs/weaknesses. Would be best off getting 1 or 2 (wishful thinking) done in January and leaving 2 or 3 for the Summer. All 4 in the Summer would be quite intense and worst case scenario with all the pressure that’d come with it.
I'd be happy too, can't think why 'Fabinho to United' has died a death though, he would have been very useful recently with Tony and Fellaini out, Pogba's ban, Herrera struggling and Matic needing a rest
Unless we can somehow shift 3-4 players for decent fees, I really can’t see any precedent for us spending the sort of money needed to fill 3-4 first team positions with top quality in 2018.
£150m - which to be fair to the Glazers is a significant investment - does not get you a top class attacker, CM and RB.
In fact, I would say the majority of the top 15-20 attacking players in the world that are of a decent age profile would cost around that entire budget now.
£150m - which to be fair to the Glazers is a significant investment - does not get you a top class attacker, CM and RB.
In fact, I would say the majority of the top 15-20 attacking players in the world that are of a decent age profile would cost around that entire budget now.
To me the best option is probably Mahrez (£40-50m), Alex Sandro (£60-70m) and Özil. Maybe also Fabinho to cover Matić and play right-back.
How has Fabinho fared this season?
Not great from the reports I've seen which is why I think he'd be good value. The fact he could cover both Valencia and Matic would be invaluable to the squad.
I like the look of that but would rather Pulisic instead of Mahrez, who I'm not so keen on. Not a good sign, in my view, that he seems to duck in and out when he feels like it.
Though I) how much would Pulisic cost? and II) is there a recurring theme with Dortmund transfers that will put us/him off?
A right back, a right sided central midfielder, a right sided inside forward.
Been saying it for ages.
Been saying it for ages.
RW/RF - Dybala/Malcom/Bailey/Mahrez/Viera
CM - Seri (surprised I haven't seen his name more)/Kovacic/Andreas Pereira/Soler
LB - Tierney/Sandro/Sessengon
Backup DM - Dendoncker
RB - ???
Seri has a release clause of €40m IIRC. Nearly went to Barca last summer, but I'm not sure what happened there. Based of last season, he's the playmaker we need and the price is a bonus. Could the Ligue 1 watchers fill me in on how he's been this season?
@kouroux @JPRouve @BBRBB @Ecstatic
CM - Seri (surprised I haven't seen his name more)/Kovacic/Andreas Pereira/Soler
LB - Tierney/Sandro/Sessengon
Backup DM - Dendoncker
RB - ???
Seri has a release clause of €40m IIRC. Nearly went to Barca last summer, but I'm not sure what happened there. Based of last season, he's the playmaker we need and the price is a bonus. Could the Ligue 1 watchers fill me in on how he's been this season?
@kouroux @JPRouve @BBRBB @Ecstatic
Same thoughts here.
Last edited:
Are you sure he's good enough for United?
He was massively disappointed by the fact he wasn't allowed to leave as apparently they promised him to, he struggled for injuries too I think. Nice as a whole has been terrible this season and him with it. He isn't really a true playmaker but can spray decent passes from a position next to the CBs.
As a right-back, definitely. And he hasn't been that bad. Same with Lemar. Read some nonsense on here that they've been shite, which is just not true.
Priorities for the summer must be RW, CM. Of course we could list more positions, RB, Number 10. However I think we would still have cover in those areas. We dont have any decent RW option and when Carrick and Afro go we need another body in there
Nice as a whole has been struggling. Séri was unsettled by the transfer rumours then was injured. He still had a few quality performances here and there.
I’m with you on the players but not the numbers except I think we will get Özil instead of Mahrez.
Summer 2018
Sandro - £60m - £140/w (out Darmian £12m and Blind £18m)
SMS - £80m - £130/w (Fellaini free) If he stays I don’t think we buy any new AM or we need to sell Herrera.
Özil - free - £300/w (Zlatan free and Mkhitaryan £25m)
Fabinho- £60m £130/w (Carrick free)
TFM - back from loan
Maybe next year we sell one of Jones/Smalling and promote Tuanzebe but highly unlikely this summer.
If Shaw develops in a positive way, I think it would be wiser to upgrade Valencia. IIRC, we just triggered a clause in Blind's contract; so Shaw, Blind and Young will handle LB, while New RB, Valencia and Young handle RB.
If we can get a RB for less of Sandro's fee, we can then spend it on a CM.
Assuming we are going to play 433:
Sidibe 30-40m
Mahrez 40-50m
Kovacic 40-50m
Ozil
Lingard's form means Ozil might not be a necessity anymore.
Ah, shame. Thanks for the replies. Do you not think he's the type to dictate the tempo kouroux?
I agree with the positions, I see most lists with a RWF and a #10 on them, but if we do the smart thing and move to a 4-3-3 then we wont buy both IMO as those front 3 spots will be for Martial, Lukaku, Lingard, Rashford, Mata and the new signing, that's 2 for each role and if the new signing is a player like Dybala for instance, then he can play as a #10 in the 4-2-3-1 if Pogba is out, much like Lingard can.
Shaw's resurrection at LB has clouded things a bit but getting rid of Blind and Darmian and adding competition would be the way to go IMO. The back-up DM is an often overlooked missing piece in this squad, Herrera is not a DM and Matic needs to be rested more. Preferably I'd get Weigl to actually compete with Matic but maybe a young option like Dendoncker or Neves to blood in as his understudy will be the way we go.
Not sure about Ozil and Mahrez, I think Ozil is better if Lingard continues form like this next season, we need Ozil to create a chance so Lingard, Lukaku, Martial and Rashfrod can burn it. Plus, he's free in summer so we can save 40m and use it on other position.
Rodrigo Hernandez from Villareal could be a player that fits the mould of that profile. He also is tall enough for Mourinho. Been impressed with him the few times I've seen him this season.
Unless we are going to play 4231, I think a RF/RW should be prioritized over Ozil. If you're thinking about playing Ozil at RF, then I think it would be bad move - no round pegs in square holes anymore. Mahrez is no slouch when it comes to creativity btw.
I saw him a couple of times last season and he looked promising, Invictus mentioned him recently but seemed to be under the impression he was off to Atleti?
Really? That would be a shame. Kinda has become my #1 target for midfield recently.