No, as I said, Mata goes and Rashford slots into his spot in the 6 for 3 options when he returns from the loan, or as I also said, just let Mata go this summer. I'd do one or the other to add another slice of dynamic wide quality to this squad.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
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No, as I said, Mata goes and Rashford slots into his spot in the 6 for 3 options when he returns from the loan, or as I also said, just let Mata go this summer. I'd do one or the other to add another slice of dynamic wide quality to this squad.
Mata goes & Rashford slots his spot to be another bench warmer again. I told you already, I can't see the logic here, "6 for 3 spots", but if we don't sign attacker and keep Rashford it will still be 6 for 3 spots.
In an ideal world Shaw keeps his form up and makes that LB spot his own and then I'd say provided we don't sell a center back I'd say perhaps a young right back but I'm not sure who's attainable. I think if we are in the market for another central defender Giminez at Atletico has limited time on his contract.
I think Ozil is coming too and perhaps another midfielder but again not sure whom probably someone like Seri since he'd be available at a good price. I think we have most of our core players down so unless someone absolutely world class becomes available in a fairly weak position we may have a fairly low spending summer.
I think Ozil is coming too and perhaps another midfielder but again not sure whom probably someone like Seri since he'd be available at a good price. I think we have most of our core players down so unless someone absolutely world class becomes available in a fairly weak position we may have a fairly low spending summer.
Yes and I don't think Rashford offers enough yet and Mata lacks the dynamism in the wide role he's constantly in, so upgrade one or the other.
Rashford has to be a bench warmer because he simply is not good enough to be leading the line for Manchester United yet, we can't afford to keep playing him constantly, recently he's been more of a hindrance than anything, he needs a break in my opinion, both body and mind, he's done well so far and certainly has the talent to go far. I understand he's a homegrown player and we all want him to do great things with us, but quite frankly he's no Mbappe is he, he has talent sure but I don't think he will ever be an absolute world beater, I believe Martial has more talent personally.
Regardless of that I would let Ibrahimovic and Mata go and get another young attacker, someone like Pulisic. At the end of the day the same question marks about Rashford can be said about Martial and Lingard, right now people are in great form yes, but it should need to continue on a consistent basis before people start believing all these players should start for us and we shouldn't get upgrades, Lingard has had a great few months but people seem quick to forget it was seasons of average bordering on dross performances before that, and he's 25 so it's less forgiveable than the younger Rashford and Martial.
I don't think we need to make considerable changes to be honest. I'm actually quite happy with our forward options now. Maybe Ozil could be an option as a #10, especially if Mata leaves, but I think 4-3-3 would suit us the best going forward.
1. a Left-back to challenge Shaw & Young, as I think Blind will leave. Someone who wouldn't break the bank ideally, but would be able to do a more than adequate job should Shaw's injury problems continue. Marvin Plattenhardt is a player I like, great crosser. Faouzi Ghoulam is another although he's been out injured for a while.
2. Cover for Matic, who has been played into the ground this season. Preferably someone young who can take over from him in a few years. Dendoncker could be a shout? Impressed me in the Europa last season & I don't think he'd mind being back-up for a few years.
3. Most important signing, a world class Centre Midfielder who can play with Pogba & Matic in a midfield 3. Essentially an upgrade on Ander & Fellaini. I would love Saul, as he's good defensively, but also could potentially have more goals in him given his aerial threat. Not sure if Atleti would sell though. Sergej & Seri have been linked also & I wouldn't oppose either.
1. a Left-back to challenge Shaw & Young, as I think Blind will leave. Someone who wouldn't break the bank ideally, but would be able to do a more than adequate job should Shaw's injury problems continue. Marvin Plattenhardt is a player I like, great crosser. Faouzi Ghoulam is another although he's been out injured for a while.
2. Cover for Matic, who has been played into the ground this season. Preferably someone young who can take over from him in a few years. Dendoncker could be a shout? Impressed me in the Europa last season & I don't think he'd mind being back-up for a few years.
3. Most important signing, a world class Centre Midfielder who can play with Pogba & Matic in a midfield 3. Essentially an upgrade on Ander & Fellaini. I would love Saul, as he's good defensively, but also could potentially have more goals in him given his aerial threat. Not sure if Atleti would sell though. Sergej & Seri have been linked also & I wouldn't oppose either.
You need to read the discussion, I never say he shouldn't be a bench warmer.
OP said Rashford should go on loan and we should sign another attacker. And I said he is good enough to fight for his own spot, he will get enough playing minutes with other players get injured or need a rest & he will learn a lot from Sanchez so we shouldn't let him go on loan.
CM, 10/RW & one full back.
CM to allow us to play 433, especially in CL. Also would suit Pogbas natural game I feel.
10/RW - I'm hoping Sanchez plays in either of these positions. So another attacker to take the other role to allow us to play 4231. Maybe someone that can play both?
Full back - If Shaw can't make the position his own, then I think we really need to look at a left back. Otherwise, I'd like to see us get a RB, blood him in while Valencia is still here.
CM to allow us to play 433, especially in CL. Also would suit Pogbas natural game I feel.
10/RW - I'm hoping Sanchez plays in either of these positions. So another attacker to take the other role to allow us to play 4231. Maybe someone that can play both?
Full back - If Shaw can't make the position his own, then I think we really need to look at a left back. Otherwise, I'd like to see us get a RB, blood him in while Valencia is still here.
First thing we need - a fecking clue. We need to go into the season knowing how we want to play. For me, that should be 4-3-3.
Then we need to re-integrate Mensah and Pereira. Jose likes to keep his numbers balanced so they can replace Darmian and Carrick.
To replace Fellaini, I think we need a top class CM. Many names have been touted for this role. Kovacic would be my first choice, and would likely cost about £45m. If there was any chance, I’d spend up to £120m on Thiago though. Barella looks perfect too and I wouldn’t mind him, my fear is if we got a CM with his profile, we won’t commit to 4-3-3, as he doesn’t come in and demand a place weekly.
Obviously still question marks surrounding full-backs. I believe TFM can make a play for RB, and we’ll see if Shaw can step up.
In the front line, I don’t know if we need anything more tbh. The budget should be focused on getting the best midfielder possible.
Then we need to re-integrate Mensah and Pereira. Jose likes to keep his numbers balanced so they can replace Darmian and Carrick.
To replace Fellaini, I think we need a top class CM. Many names have been touted for this role. Kovacic would be my first choice, and would likely cost about £45m. If there was any chance, I’d spend up to £120m on Thiago though. Barella looks perfect too and I wouldn’t mind him, my fear is if we got a CM with his profile, we won’t commit to 4-3-3, as he doesn’t come in and demand a place weekly.
Obviously still question marks surrounding full-backs. I believe TFM can make a play for RB, and we’ll see if Shaw can step up.
In the front line, I don’t know if we need anything more tbh. The budget should be focused on getting the best midfielder possible.
Top Class CM and a RB(young to back up Valencia when he eventually regresses) and a LB if Young/Shaw get injured/don't play well.
Weird, usually we go into a summer needing 4-5 to compete but I feel we're 2ish players from a great squad for the first time in a while...
Weird, usually we go into a summer needing 4-5 to compete but I feel we're 2ish players from a great squad for the first time in a while...
I think Castles also wrote previously in an article that Mourinho wanted Fred to come in so that it gives us greater tactical flexibility in being able to play 4-3-3, but it looks like he'll move to City. I'm a big fan of Lucas Torreira, who plays for Sampdoria. He's a Kante type midfielder, who'll do a lot of the defensive work and allow Pogba to roam further forward in a midfield 3. However, he does keep things simple on the ball so he's not a DLP.
Yes please, I'm jonesing here big style after the Sanchez transfer.....#FEEDTHEMUPPETS
I haven't seen any full matches of Torreira but from the video that was posted and the article I read on him he seems more like he'd be DM competition for Matic than the player to form a midfield 3 with him and Pogba, that #8 needs to have plenty of offensive quality as well as good defensive positioning.
He plays as a CDM in a similar way to Kante playing there. He's a lot more mobile and very good at making interceptions. I agree with you that ideally we need a midfielder that is both defensively solid and contributes going forward, but there aren't many top tier ones available. Naingollan is available but given his play style, his level will start dropping soon, if it hasn't already. Kovacic fits the bill, if he's available. We're also linked with younger players like: Barella and Soler, while Seri is a decent option if Mourinho wants a DLP.
I'd be going all out for someone like Barella in this window. Shouldn't cost a bomb and would leave us with a clearer picture as to what we need in CM come the summer. That's assuming Barella would be content to rotate and stake a claim as a non starter.
I looked at the squad list and tried to look at who was probably on the way out in the summer.
Definitely gone:
Carrick (MF)
Zlatan (FW)
Probably gone:
Blind (DF)
Fellaini (MF)
Mata (AM)
Darmian (DF)
So that's six and that doesn't necessarily mean I want any of those players gone (I always rate Mata) but they seem to be headed thart way. That's not even talking of players like Herrera, Young, Shaw (still not definite with him) or outsiders like McTominay, Pereira or Fosu-Mensah who Mourinho might not be fussed on.
You wouldn't expect replacements for all them I guess but there's seemingly question marks over a decent portion of the squad.
As far as key recruitment. For me the two crucial signings are two midfielders, one to replace Carrick's squad position for depth and one to provide some back-up should Pogba get injured. The other, which is almost as important, is the full backs. Valencia needs competition and even if Shaw nails down the position at left-back, I'm not sure he's going to have much competition either if Blind/Darmian head out the door (and Rojo isn't great at left back either).
Definitely gone:
Carrick (MF)
Zlatan (FW)
Probably gone:
Blind (DF)
Fellaini (MF)
Mata (AM)
Darmian (DF)
So that's six and that doesn't necessarily mean I want any of those players gone (I always rate Mata) but they seem to be headed thart way. That's not even talking of players like Herrera, Young, Shaw (still not definite with him) or outsiders like McTominay, Pereira or Fosu-Mensah who Mourinho might not be fussed on.
You wouldn't expect replacements for all them I guess but there's seemingly question marks over a decent portion of the squad.
As far as key recruitment. For me the two crucial signings are two midfielders, one to replace Carrick's squad position for depth and one to provide some back-up should Pogba get injured. The other, which is almost as important, is the full backs. Valencia needs competition and even if Shaw nails down the position at left-back, I'm not sure he's going to have much competition either if Blind/Darmian head out the door (and Rojo isn't great at left back either).
Kroos and play 4-3-3
How about a three man midfield with a DLP like Weigl, with SMS & Pogba as box to box, the former being more defensive of the two and Weigl pulling the strings from deep.
When Pogba is injured or suspended, SMS can easily slot in for him, almost a like for like replacement
When Pogba is injured or suspended, SMS can easily slot in for him, almost a like for like replacement
We need two full backs and a midfielder to complete our 433. I think that our midfield should replicate the Juventus midfield Conte designed to get the best out of Pogba which I think was in a 3-1-4-2 formation:
Vidal could be available in the summer for around €40m but has a drink problem and is 31. Would be a short-term solution. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is 23 and would be the long-term solution, finishing off what would be a powerful spine capable of attacking and defending. Milinkovic-Savic covers an average of 11km per game (according to Tifo Football on YouTube) so I would imagine he is mobile enough for the role. My choice would be Milinkovic-Savic but unfortunately he could cost around €100m. Still I think it would be worth it.
For left-back we should either sign Alex Sandro for circa €60m, or persevere with Luke Shaw. I'm not sure we should sign another young left-back like Kieran Tierney, an injury prone option like Alejandro Grimaldo or Faouzi Ghoulam who has only recently come back from an ACL injury.
For right back I'd maybe try to get Thomas Meuiner since PSG need to raise money to escape FFP sanctions so maybe we could get him €30m or less. I can't think of any other top right-back who is on the market right now.
Pogba - Vidal
Pirlo
Our version has Nemanja Matić instead of Pirlo so we would be more defensively stable but perhaps have less control over the game. I don't think Nice's Seri is a good enough playmaker to add that control though. Maybe we need an energetic midfielder instead to cover for Pogba's defensive deficiencies.Pirlo
Vidal could be available in the summer for around €40m but has a drink problem and is 31. Would be a short-term solution. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is 23 and would be the long-term solution, finishing off what would be a powerful spine capable of attacking and defending. Milinkovic-Savic covers an average of 11km per game (according to Tifo Football on YouTube) so I would imagine he is mobile enough for the role. My choice would be Milinkovic-Savic but unfortunately he could cost around €100m. Still I think it would be worth it.
For left-back we should either sign Alex Sandro for circa €60m, or persevere with Luke Shaw. I'm not sure we should sign another young left-back like Kieran Tierney, an injury prone option like Alejandro Grimaldo or Faouzi Ghoulam who has only recently come back from an ACL injury.
For right back I'd maybe try to get Thomas Meuiner since PSG need to raise money to escape FFP sanctions so maybe we could get him €30m or less. I can't think of any other top right-back who is on the market right now.
We need
2 CMs
1 pure winger
1 RB
1 LB
2 CMs
1 pure winger
1 RB
1 LB
I see a lot of long lists but Jose has been consistent in being open about the number of players he wants each summer, he said 4 the first summer and that's what we got and he said 4 last summer and would have gotten them had we found a middle ground with Inter.
With that in mind I'm going with 2 in this summer, especially with the World Cup eating up a chunk of an already shortened window.
Even though I don't really like it I'd leave both fullback positions under these parameters and leave the attack as it is, focusing on midfield, one being the crucial top #8 and the other a younger rotation option.
Starter
Pjanic
Kroos
Kovacic
Weigl
Jorginho
Saul
Koke
Squad addition
Frenkie de Jong
Rodrigo
Neves
Barella
With that in mind I'm going with 2 in this summer, especially with the World Cup eating up a chunk of an already shortened window.
Even though I don't really like it I'd leave both fullback positions under these parameters and leave the attack as it is, focusing on midfield, one being the crucial top #8 and the other a younger rotation option.
Starter
Pjanic
Kroos
Kovacic
Weigl
Jorginho
Saul
Koke
Squad addition
Frenkie de Jong
Rodrigo
Neves
Barella
I would be happy if we sign:
Ozil (free)
Milinković-Savić
Alex Sandro
Ozil (free)
Milinković-Savić
Alex Sandro
Mourinho saying our summer window will be "short". So probably just 3 players, or if anyone leaves then replace. Assuming nobody leaves that we don't expect to (Romero might leave, but Pereira would just step up, Ibra and Carrick are expected to leave, and then Fellaini, Darmian and Blind will all probably leave).
Leaves us with:
GK: De Gea, Pereira
Back 4: Valencia, Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Lindelof, Rojo, Tuanzebe, Shaw, Young
Midfield 3: Pogba, Matic, Herrera, Pereira, McTominay
Front 3: Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, Mata, Lingard
Can potentially see Ozil coming in on a free, who would then make Mata pretty irrelevant, but again, that could go either way. Midfield the obvious weak point, missing the right balance for a midfield 3, and depth isn't good enough bar Herrera being Matic's back up. Seri, Kovacic, Fred and Milinkovic-Savic all been linked, would guess Seri the likeliest of those, though could well need one more if Andreas Pereira doesn't work out as a good squad option. Also I'd say we're still weak at fullback. Left back is risky to go into hoping Shaw is over the injuries and just having Young as back up, while right back Valencia is getting older so needs to start slowing down eventually, and Fosu-Mensah I'm not sure if he's quite good enough. Though maybe worth giving him a shot at being a squad player. Rojo can fill in at left back occasionally, lindelof at right back (and Tuanzebe even), so I don't think we'll be too desperate for anyone. Overall I'd say we'll definitely sign 1 midfielder, maybe 2 depending on McTominay/Pereira development for Mou, then if we can get Ozil on a free we'll get him, and then 1 fullback (either side, not sure).
Meunier, Kovacic, Seri and Ozil in would be a fantastic window, but we'd probably need to then sell Mata, and Pereira and McTominay would leave for loan/for good (not sure McTominay will ever be much more then squad player anyway, but Mourinho seems to like him).
Leaves us with:
GK: De Gea, Pereira
Back 4: Valencia, Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Lindelof, Rojo, Tuanzebe, Shaw, Young
Midfield 3: Pogba, Matic, Herrera, Pereira, McTominay
Front 3: Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, Mata, Lingard
Can potentially see Ozil coming in on a free, who would then make Mata pretty irrelevant, but again, that could go either way. Midfield the obvious weak point, missing the right balance for a midfield 3, and depth isn't good enough bar Herrera being Matic's back up. Seri, Kovacic, Fred and Milinkovic-Savic all been linked, would guess Seri the likeliest of those, though could well need one more if Andreas Pereira doesn't work out as a good squad option. Also I'd say we're still weak at fullback. Left back is risky to go into hoping Shaw is over the injuries and just having Young as back up, while right back Valencia is getting older so needs to start slowing down eventually, and Fosu-Mensah I'm not sure if he's quite good enough. Though maybe worth giving him a shot at being a squad player. Rojo can fill in at left back occasionally, lindelof at right back (and Tuanzebe even), so I don't think we'll be too desperate for anyone. Overall I'd say we'll definitely sign 1 midfielder, maybe 2 depending on McTominay/Pereira development for Mou, then if we can get Ozil on a free we'll get him, and then 1 fullback (either side, not sure).
Meunier, Kovacic, Seri and Ozil in would be a fantastic window, but we'd probably need to then sell Mata, and Pereira and McTominay would leave for loan/for good (not sure McTominay will ever be much more then squad player anyway, but Mourinho seems to like him).
Ozil, emre can and mahrez to replace fellaini, Carrick and mata. Would allow us so many possibilities depending on the opposition and amazing strength in depth for all competitions and at bargain prices.
The only other thing I would like is a crazy bid for Kane.... You never know. Offer them lukaku + 120 mill. Makes so much sense for both teams. That's 165 mill if mahrez is 45....with some sales we're laughing.
The only other thing I would like is a crazy bid for Kane.... You never know. Offer them lukaku + 120 mill. Makes so much sense for both teams. That's 165 mill if mahrez is 45....with some sales we're laughing.
Emre Can and selling Lukaku
Some of the nonsense written on the place is ridiculous.If you can't see Kane as an upgrade then that's ridiculous!Emre Can and selling Lukaku
And emre can on a free! As a squad option. Yes he is not the finished article and lacks the technique and defensive nous at times but as a box to box in a 3 driving from midfield. He has everything to be a great midfielder.... Maybe that won't happen but on a free its worth it. Juve thinks so...and they are no fools.
Lukaku is a player who United invested £75m in and I'd go as far as saying he is probably one of Jose's favourite players. Kane is an upgrade yes, but there is no chance we are selling Lukaku, and there is no chance we are getting Kane. So it's a total waste of time to think and write it. Lukaku has only been here 6 months and has a good number of goals and assists and yes he can improve further and I'm sure he will over the next year or 2, so it's time all fans supported him
Emre Can is average. Even for free I wouldn't want him anywhere near United. Did you watch his performance v WBA yesterday? Manchester United do not need average players. Juve can shop in the bargain bin if they wish but United and Jose will be aiming higher. We have had enough average players in 3 years under Moyes and LVG, thankfully Jose has put a stop to it. Also I value the United - Liverpool rivalry and I don't want any of their players.
Weigl, Sessegnon and Fosu-Mensah back from loan would be excellent.
Savic is very good but people are going to learn he is less like a pogba and more like a fellaini. He can shoot and pass etc but a bit part of his strength is his physique and he has one of the worst first touches in seire a
RB, 2 CM and a LB
A winger is a nice add on if we get our basic business done
A winger is a nice add on if we get our basic business done
Id be happy with those 4 incoming but even more happy if we had a new LB too
Ibra to leave, Carrick to retire, likely Fellaini to leave and perhaps even darmien. Mata would also be surplus if we bring in Ozil
The left back part for me is kinda on hold til the end of the season. If Shaw stays fit and makes it his own, do we need to spend big on another left back? We'd have Shaw starting, young as back up, then if we really need it, Rojo to fill in. Buying someone is basically giving up on Shaw which I'm not sure if the club has done yet, especially with his improvement this season.
Agree with Mata, that's why I doubt we'll get Ozil since it'd be more of a squad unsettler and force us to go 4231 which doesn't get the best out of pogba. 2 midfielders and a right back is whats missing right now IMO, with left back the question mark if we really need it or not.
Also I just realised the world cup is this summer but also the window will close before the season starts, so it'll be a really short window and tough to do significant business. So 3 players (right back and 2 mids) seems about right.
Yeah realistically I’d be surprised if we signed more than 3
We need a left back and a cm for our starting XI, and a young CDM as squad player to rotate with Matic. Also would be nice an upgrade on Mata, but with the arrival of Sanches, its not a priority ATM.
Just hope we make the right signings. Worried that there will be the usual has been signing in there somewhere. There is a lot of talent out there and we should be tapping into it, not letting other teams fob us off with players they no longer have a use for.
Hearing Mourinho slavering on about Fellaini again today was disheartening, makes me feel we will not address midfield properly and will keep just using him and Herrera next season, where we should be adding one younger DM to the mix and jettison Fellaini and the long ball last 20 minutes tactic.
With that in mind the premium signing remains the #8 playmaker but the second signing now feels like maybe LB will take preference, maybe there's something in the Ghoulam story or Sandro could happen now Chelsea opted for the Roma LB instead. The other possibility is we bring in another left footer to the attacking options.
With that in mind the premium signing remains the #8 playmaker but the second signing now feels like maybe LB will take preference, maybe there's something in the Ghoulam story or Sandro could happen now Chelsea opted for the Roma LB instead. The other possibility is we bring in another left footer to the attacking options.
Luke Shaw means we really don't.
A new team if we don't win tomorrow
Core signings next season:
CDM or CM good enough to start for us so we can play 3 in the middle when we wish
right back- to compete/ rotate with Val. Would welcome some young talent.
a top bracket attacker - the way is see it: we have 4 attacking position. Ideally we need 8 players and so far we have 6 players (Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Mata, Rashford). Ideally versatile attacker (predominately right sided though) would be a great addition.
Auxiliary signings
Another CDM or CM (providing either Herrera or Fellaini leaves)
so max 4 players
CDM or CM good enough to start for us so we can play 3 in the middle when we wish
right back- to compete/ rotate with Val. Would welcome some young talent.
a top bracket attacker - the way is see it: we have 4 attacking position. Ideally we need 8 players and so far we have 6 players (Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Mata, Rashford). Ideally versatile attacker (predominately right sided though) would be a great addition.
Auxiliary signings
Another CDM or CM (providing either Herrera or Fellaini leaves)
so max 4 players