Wonder if we may approach Spurs with a cash plus Shaw offer for Rose and Alderweireld? Shaw to them makes sense and while I think we can do much better than Rose him coming here obviously makes sense as well
Last edited:
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
That’s imo way too much. Both players are injury prone and it’s questionable if they can get back into form. I think Rose is finished as a top player. He does not look like the same player as he used to. He also relied a lot on his athleticism. I have more belief in Alderweireld getting back into form, but he is older and he has also looked off since coming back. Spurs can extend his contract for a year, but then he gets a 25m release clause. But signing two recently injured players seems like bad business to me.
I would much rather see if we could get Eriksen from them. Put in a decent offer and see if he wants to come. He only has two years left and he has talked about having bigger ambitions(aka he actually want to win something). I think he could be lured away with some luck. The way he and his agent have talked sounds like a transfer to a bigger club isn’t complete off. Also his agents mentioned us as the only club alongside Barca and Real Madrid.
Also it would be worth it just to see Glaston meltdown.
We have many young players, with a lot of potential.
Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Bailly, Lindelof, even Pogba and Lukaku are young. Shaw if he stays as backup is young, McTominay too. We also expect Chong & Gomez, maybe TFM and Pereira back etc.
That is a good young core. However, since we cannot wait until these players start to produce consistent performances and in order to help them mature faster, we have to help them by adding to our squad more experienced top class performers, with personality as Mourinho said many times.
As we did with Alexis, who I believe in the long-term will be a lift for all our young attackers.
Therefore, even though players like Tierney and Pulisic may be great talents for example and exciting signings, we desperately need more maturity and consistent professional performers. Young and Valencia are players that have character, but they are not up to a top club standards anymore, if ever.
The default options who have this package in the positions we need are for sure the following:
(LB) Alex Sandro & (DC) Alderweireld. As for (MC) there are many different types of players and I do not know who are affordable and what Mourinho wants. I would say Verratti, but I do not think he is gettable. Whatsoever, many choices here. At (RB) there is no default option, maybe Fabinho who can help also in midfield when Valencia plays. Finally, if we buy a player at (RW), perhaps we should gamble with Bale if we could get him at a logical price. I know people don't want him because of injuries, but since we are not desperate in that position it's a gamble we could take, because if it goes well we will go many levels up at once. Otherwise, Mahrez seems ok.
We need character in our squad. I remember Jose's Inter side, and it oozed personality.
Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Bailly, Lindelof, even Pogba and Lukaku are young. Shaw if he stays as backup is young, McTominay too. We also expect Chong & Gomez, maybe TFM and Pereira back etc.
That is a good young core. However, since we cannot wait until these players start to produce consistent performances and in order to help them mature faster, we have to help them by adding to our squad more experienced top class performers, with personality as Mourinho said many times.
As we did with Alexis, who I believe in the long-term will be a lift for all our young attackers.
Therefore, even though players like Tierney and Pulisic may be great talents for example and exciting signings, we desperately need more maturity and consistent professional performers. Young and Valencia are players that have character, but they are not up to a top club standards anymore, if ever.
The default options who have this package in the positions we need are for sure the following:
(LB) Alex Sandro & (DC) Alderweireld. As for (MC) there are many different types of players and I do not know who are affordable and what Mourinho wants. I would say Verratti, but I do not think he is gettable. Whatsoever, many choices here. At (RB) there is no default option, maybe Fabinho who can help also in midfield when Valencia plays. Finally, if we buy a player at (RW), perhaps we should gamble with Bale if we could get him at a logical price. I know people don't want him because of injuries, but since we are not desperate in that position it's a gamble we could take, because if it goes well we will go many levels up at once. Otherwise, Mahrez seems ok.
We need character in our squad. I remember Jose's Inter side, and it oozed personality.
Can't really blame Mou. He inherited a mess. Not even a single LVG signing has been able to cement his name in the starting 11. Except Martial none of them were United quality. Di Maria, Falcao, Rojo, Blind , Shaw, Herrera Darmian all of them really have been flops. VG squandered way too much cash on semi decent players.
Can’t help but think we will be after Willian this summer. Would offer natural width on the right and is clearly a player that Mourinho adores. I for one would prefer him to Bale.
Important summer this. If we get this right, we should be challenging properly next season.
For me, it's 5 players we need, but 6 would be nice if I'm honest.
Firstly, I think it's important to get De Gea and Martial on new deals.
Then we need to look at whose leaving: Blind, Darmian, Fellaini and Carrick all seem certain. On top of that, I'd like to see Rojo leave and I wouldn't really be against Mata going either. That would be 6 out and 6 in.
I still really want Shaw to do well here. His time may be up, as didn't we activate his one year contract? So we either sell now or give him a new contract. I actually wouldn't be against him having a season on loan somewhere, play regular and then access at the end of the season, but going forward, he isn't the player we need, and if we want to challenge City, we need to improve on Young...
The 6 positions I'd like to see are:
LB: Sandro
CB: Alderweireld
RB: Sidibie
CM: Jorginho
CM: Seri / Fred
RW: Bale
These are the players we are probably most linked with right now, obviously don't expect that to be our summer, but that would leave us looking like this:
I know Bale isn't everybodies flavour of the month right now and me included. I still think he is a fantastic player when fit and if he was available at a fair price, then he'd be a massive player for us, but if Real do what they always do and expect every last penny for him, then let him rot there. He's not the only RW in the market.
I'd also like to think Martial or Rashford could do a job there and grow into the position. Going forward, I think both have big futures here and we need to keep them happy with minutes on the pitch.
The names above as I said are the names most linked with us right now, so that's why I listed them.
One thing that I think is more valuable than these players though is Jose releasing our attackers on the pitch. We look so much better as a team when we are more attacking, I just hope he realises this.
Oh, and 433 is the way forward. Pogba against City bombing forward was great to see!
For me, it's 5 players we need, but 6 would be nice if I'm honest.
Firstly, I think it's important to get De Gea and Martial on new deals.
Then we need to look at whose leaving: Blind, Darmian, Fellaini and Carrick all seem certain. On top of that, I'd like to see Rojo leave and I wouldn't really be against Mata going either. That would be 6 out and 6 in.
I still really want Shaw to do well here. His time may be up, as didn't we activate his one year contract? So we either sell now or give him a new contract. I actually wouldn't be against him having a season on loan somewhere, play regular and then access at the end of the season, but going forward, he isn't the player we need, and if we want to challenge City, we need to improve on Young...
The 6 positions I'd like to see are:
LB: Sandro
CB: Alderweireld
RB: Sidibie
CM: Jorginho
CM: Seri / Fred
RW: Bale
These are the players we are probably most linked with right now, obviously don't expect that to be our summer, but that would leave us looking like this:
De Gea
(Romero)
Sidibie - Bailly - Alderwe - Sandro
(Valencia - Smalling - Jones - Young)
Jorginho - Matic - Pogba
(Herrera - McTomin - Seri)
Bale - Lukaku - Sanchez
(Lingard - Rashford - Martial)
In it's own right, that would be an absolutely fantastic side. We could afford loan options for Tuanzebe, Shaw and FM. It still leaves Andreas P without a spot in the team though and their is still Lindelof at the club.(Romero)
Sidibie - Bailly - Alderwe - Sandro
(Valencia - Smalling - Jones - Young)
Jorginho - Matic - Pogba
(Herrera - McTomin - Seri)
Bale - Lukaku - Sanchez
(Lingard - Rashford - Martial)
I know Bale isn't everybodies flavour of the month right now and me included. I still think he is a fantastic player when fit and if he was available at a fair price, then he'd be a massive player for us, but if Real do what they always do and expect every last penny for him, then let him rot there. He's not the only RW in the market.
I'd also like to think Martial or Rashford could do a job there and grow into the position. Going forward, I think both have big futures here and we need to keep them happy with minutes on the pitch.
The names above as I said are the names most linked with us right now, so that's why I listed them.
One thing that I think is more valuable than these players though is Jose releasing our attackers on the pitch. We look so much better as a team when we are more attacking, I just hope he realises this.
Oh, and 433 is the way forward. Pogba against City bombing forward was great to see!
Agreed. The squad Mou took over was really subpar.
I think we will get some of what we need this summer, but I don’t see us starting next season without a few holes still.
If this Martial sale happens then we are going to need 5 in this summer, I mean our RW is an issue to begin with but if Martial goes we'll be another attacking option down in general. It's possiblee we might not go for a RW and starting using a diamond which means we add a #10 type of player instead, but some kind of forward will need adding if Martial is sold.
LB Sandro/Ghoulam
RB Odriozola/Sidibie (I guess)
CB Alderweireld/Skriniar
CM Kovacic/Neves
FW Dybala/Isco
LB Sandro/Ghoulam
RB Odriozola/Sidibie (I guess)
CB Alderweireld/Skriniar
CM Kovacic/Neves
FW Dybala/Isco
Left back. Sandro, Tierney and Sessegnon are the players more often mentioned. I would put away Sessegnon because he plays in a more advanced position and we don't need another left winger.
CB and Right back. We can improve those positions, but we have other priorities. We can't sign half a team in one transfer window. If Alderweireld is available for a good price, and Tottenham is going to sell him to Premier League club (which I doubt). Then, he is an opportunity we should take.
Midfielder. This one is tricky. We don't need the best midfielder, but a midfielder who can make our midfield the best. I mean, I would love to sign Eriksen, Fekir, Savic, etc. But we need an energetic mid to bring the best of Matic and Pogba, someone in the mold of Keita, Seri, Fred, etc. Also, if we sign a player like Jorginho we could end up being to static in the midfield. In case we sign another midfielder, I would go for someone younger like Neves.
Right Winger. Let's face it, Sanchez is not going to play there even we want to. So we need someone in that position. Some people mention Dybala and Griezmann, they are world class players but they are not wingers. Same as Eriksen/Fekir. I think we should be more realistic and sign Mahrez who wants to leave, or invest in a young talent such as Pulisic, Bailey, etc.
CB and Right back. We can improve those positions, but we have other priorities. We can't sign half a team in one transfer window. If Alderweireld is available for a good price, and Tottenham is going to sell him to Premier League club (which I doubt). Then, he is an opportunity we should take.
Midfielder. This one is tricky. We don't need the best midfielder, but a midfielder who can make our midfield the best. I mean, I would love to sign Eriksen, Fekir, Savic, etc. But we need an energetic mid to bring the best of Matic and Pogba, someone in the mold of Keita, Seri, Fred, etc. Also, if we sign a player like Jorginho we could end up being to static in the midfield. In case we sign another midfielder, I would go for someone younger like Neves.
Right Winger. Let's face it, Sanchez is not going to play there even we want to. So we need someone in that position. Some people mention Dybala and Griezmann, they are world class players but they are not wingers. Same as Eriksen/Fekir. I think we should be more realistic and sign Mahrez who wants to leave, or invest in a young talent such as Pulisic, Bailey, etc.
I'd be very happy with:
Sandro
Alderweireld
Jorginho
Fred
Malcolm
Sandro
Alderweireld
Jorginho
Fred
Malcolm
IN:
Toby Alderweireld ~ 40m
Alex Sandro ~ 50m
Joao Cancelo ~ 50m
Rodrigo Hernandez ~ 40m
Willian Borges ~ 60m
OUT:
Phil Jones ~ 20m
Luke Shaw ~ 20m
Daley Blind ~ 15m
Matteo Darmian ~ 15m
Anthony Martial ~ 60m
110m net.
Toby Alderweireld ~ 40m
Alex Sandro ~ 50m
Joao Cancelo ~ 50m
Rodrigo Hernandez ~ 40m
Willian Borges ~ 60m
OUT:
Phil Jones ~ 20m
Luke Shaw ~ 20m
Daley Blind ~ 15m
Matteo Darmian ~ 15m
Anthony Martial ~ 60m
110m net.
I just don't understand why everybody by default is picking Sidibe, Cedric or cancelo... the last 2 aren't even the best Portuguese RB's... Repeating myself now, Ricardo Pereira is our guy. Watched him last and this season (on loan at Nice & this year at Porto) all I'm saying is watch the guy, won't find a better RB that's available.
Mourinho said that he wants 2 midfielders. It seems that Savic could be a done deal, so a playmaker like Neves, Jorginho, Pjanic, etc is needed. If we are going to sign a midfielder to rotate with Matic and Herrera, then Neves is a good option.
If we manage to sign attacking fullbacks, we could get the best of our team.
Sanchez(Martial) Lukaku(Rashford) NewWinger(Mata)
Pogba(Lingard) ------- Savic(Herrera)
Matic(Neves)
Pogba(Lingard) ------- Savic(Herrera)
Matic(Neves)
If we manage to sign attacking fullbacks, we could get the best of our team.
Based on Mourinho's 2 years with us, his signings have seem to have been quite a mixed bag. You've had 20-25 Pogba, Lukaku, Bailly & Lindelof, 25-30 Sanchez, Mkhitaryan, Matic & 30+ Zlatan. I think you can basically rule out him wanting to sign the wonder kid types who are only teenagers and I think Zlatan was an exception to the rule at his age that was based on their previous relationship at Inter.
Weirdly you'd expect him to go for experience in defence but instead he's actually gone for youth with both is centre back signings being in their early 20's with only a season or two of experience in first team football.
He's cleared out a lot of deadwood but there's still more to go and what's left is the stuff that is hard to shift and it seems he's completely given up on Shaw and it feels as if Martial is in the same boat. I don't think he's anywhere near done with Rashford yet. So you'd expect Shaw will leave this summer and the rumours seem to be that Martial wants out too which isn't really surprising as he knows with Alexis & Lukaku being here, the 2 positions he can play are occupied.
My guess is the summer will be spent reinforcing the defence to give De Gea better protection and he hopes with a full season of Sanchez, the attack will become more ruthless. I don't think Utd games will get any more exciting. It'll always feel like a grind under Mourinho as that is the way his teams play because that is how he wants the game to be played it's been very successful for him so he's not going to change.
I'm expecting our signings this summer to be Alex Sandro, Toby Alderweireld and Fred which a lot of people will probably find very underwhelming, I do expect us to kick on next year but I think that a lack of goals is the team is ultimately going to cost us dear.
Weirdly you'd expect him to go for experience in defence but instead he's actually gone for youth with both is centre back signings being in their early 20's with only a season or two of experience in first team football.
He's cleared out a lot of deadwood but there's still more to go and what's left is the stuff that is hard to shift and it seems he's completely given up on Shaw and it feels as if Martial is in the same boat. I don't think he's anywhere near done with Rashford yet. So you'd expect Shaw will leave this summer and the rumours seem to be that Martial wants out too which isn't really surprising as he knows with Alexis & Lukaku being here, the 2 positions he can play are occupied.
My guess is the summer will be spent reinforcing the defence to give De Gea better protection and he hopes with a full season of Sanchez, the attack will become more ruthless. I don't think Utd games will get any more exciting. It'll always feel like a grind under Mourinho as that is the way his teams play because that is how he wants the game to be played it's been very successful for him so he's not going to change.
I'm expecting our signings this summer to be Alex Sandro, Toby Alderweireld and Fred which a lot of people will probably find very underwhelming, I do expect us to kick on next year but I think that a lack of goals is the team is ultimately going to cost us dear.
I seriously think we should go for Ki or Joe Allen, they're both good experienced players who work hard for the team and would be good backups.
That side is hardly better than ours at the moment and you've spent 200 million, I doubt we'd spend 60 mil on Willian as wellIN:
Toby Alderweireld ~ 40m
Alex Sandro ~ 50m
Joao Cancelo ~ 50m
Rodrigo Hernandez ~ 40m
Willian Borges ~ 60m
OUT:
Phil Jones ~ 20m
Luke Shaw ~ 20m
Daley Blind ~ 15m
Matteo Darmian ~ 15m
Anthony Martial ~ 60m
110m net.
ffs
Absolut brilliant analysis from former United scout Torben Aakjær.
He really nails everything; which players to sell, which ones to buy and a lot more.
(the article is in Danish; so use google translate it)
https://www.plbold.dk/blog/torbenaa...united-koebe-og-saelge-frem-mod-naeste-saeson
He really nails everything; which players to sell, which ones to buy and a lot more.
(the article is in Danish; so use google translate it)
https://www.plbold.dk/blog/torbenaa...united-koebe-og-saelge-frem-mod-naeste-saeson
Is there anyone out there of the ilk of Makelele or Mascherano? I think Mou's system requires that, instead of the fairly slow Matic.
Kante, Naby Keita, Saul, Casemiro, Vidal, Nainggolan, etc.
Herrera plays that role for us.
CB : K.Koulibaly or T.Alderweireld
LB : A.Sandro or K.Tierney
RB : R.Pereira or J.Cancelo
DM : M.Brozovic or R.Neves
CM : Fred or SMS
RW : D.Neres or Oyarzabal
LB : A.Sandro or K.Tierney
RB : R.Pereira or J.Cancelo
DM : M.Brozovic or R.Neves
CM : Fred or SMS
RW : D.Neres or Oyarzabal
Dude, apart from maybe Casemiro, these players aren't water carriers or classic defensive/holding midfielders in the mold of Makelélé or Mascherano. e.g. Keïta is more Seedorf than Deschamps — and Naingollan excels when he's given the freedom to go box-to-box, or even as a left-sided attacking midfielder.
I'd say Santiago Ascacíbar is more along the lines of the aforementioned duo in terms of being a deep-set midfielder capable of expertly breaking up opposition offensive moves in front of the defensive line with tough and precise tackles and organizing the midfield play, albeit quite rough around the edges and needs to improve his discipline as he can go over the edge at times — a wee bit like Casemiro when he was at Porto.
My only concern about signing players like Alderweireld, Sandro, William/Bale is that we are going to pay high wages and we are going to have the same problem in those positions when they are 30+
Sometimes I think we should invest in our future and we should go for players like De Light/Skriniar, Tierney/Sessegnon, Pulisic/Bailey, etc. I mean, we could play 40m+ for Alderweireld and Tottenham sign De Light or Sessegnon with that money. Or we can buy William, and Chelsea could replace him with Bailey.
But I guess Mourinho wants experienced players instead of young talents.
Sometimes I think we should invest in our future and we should go for players like De Light/Skriniar, Tierney/Sessegnon, Pulisic/Bailey, etc. I mean, we could play 40m+ for Alderweireld and Tottenham sign De Light or Sessegnon with that money. Or we can buy William, and Chelsea could replace him with Bailey.
But I guess Mourinho wants experienced players instead of young talents.
Fine article, would say Kroos is probably not gonna be possible without including De Gea in the deal and Bale is of course great on his day but he is a bit injury prone and would be expensive, also I'd just rather not deal with Real Madrid, so replace Kroos (although I'd love him at Utd) with perhaps Verratti and Bale with Mahrez would be more realistic in my mind
We would improve our team if we end up signing Alderweireld, Sandro and Fred. But I can't see Mourinho signing 6 players like some threads suggest.
Lucas Torreira.
Big fan of Torreira. Quick, agile, solid defensively and technically sound. Doesn't quite have the play making abilities that we need though.
No white text!? Amazing.
There are no deeplying playmakers that also can take the defensive roles that a CDM does. Torreira is not far off though. He can use both feet for passing short and long. And makes quick decisions. Only thing missing is the "vision" and controlling the game like Pirlo, Xavi and Scholes, but that can come with age. Also these players are not used to the same extent as before, so don't see all the fuzz about needing a superplaymaker. Our attacking and passing please is not fixed by buying a playmaker, it is fixed by defining a way of how to attack, movement, positioning and what to do in certain situations. And then train and drill these elements into the team.
We need a new manger. Not like the one we currently have. A new one. People aren't happy with this one. No style, no flair to speak of. So generic. Cracks are starting to appear. It would make ample sense to get one way before Christmas, before the season starts. Ideally one that would last more than three seasons, cause the one we have is done. I'd like to see a proper nativity scene in my community for once.
As for us, I would like to see some competition for our players in wide positions.
As for us, I would like to see some competition for our players in wide positions.
I don't think the technical side is something that fundamentally comes with age. You can learn to pass to the right places in various situations, but generally technical ability is for the most set at a young age. Not often do you get players that are relatively average technically becoming incredible later on in their career.
But on Torreira, he'd play in a Kante role, so we would need to partner him with a technically more proficient player.
I assume you mean technical side related to passing and not dribling e.g.? He will never be equal to Pirlo/Scholes/Thiago in that aspect, but he is more adapt at this than Matic. And where/when to pass can be to some extent improved by training and also comes with experience.
Torreira is Similar to Kante in many ways, but not that extreme. And he would be very suited to that role, and also as a box to box player. As he can dribble, shot, two footed and is very comfortable on the ball.
We need to recruit for the type of team the club have decided to build by appointing Jose, so there’s no point getting hung-up on players targeted by Liverpool, City or Spurs, or the players Emery and Sarri will recruit to rebuild Arsenal and Chelsea as we’re building a side different from them. We’re not building a pressing side, or a possession side or a side too concerned with attacking - from what we’ve seen and heard from Jose we’re going for a side more likely to win 1-0 rather than 6-0, so that requires different skills to what the others are looking for I think, which might be an advantage.
We’re building around a big man striker in Lukaku, but we don’t have anyone to play that role if he’s injured so the links to someone like Mandzukic and Arnautovic make sense on that score. I’m not sure who the alternatives might be if we fail to get them though - as much as I think he’s a waster, Andy Carroll is tall enough obviously, but I’m not sure he has the work-rate for the role Jose wants, but I can’t think of too many other tall strikers who might agree to be back-up to Lukaku as he plays every game he’s fit for. Shame Giroud went to Chelsea, but maybe Sarri won’t fancy him and we can then monitor his availability next summer?
Full-backs both need changing - neither Valencia or Young are good enough at crossing for a big striker (Young might do on the right since he might be able to cross better with his stronger foot coming from the right rather than from the left), so ideally you’d want full-backs with decent crossing ability using their natural foot from each flank. But at the same time, they can’t be too adventurous as they‘ll need to do the job defensively if we manage to take the lead to see-out the game. I don’t know enough about the candidates we’ve been linked with to comment on their crossing or defensive game, but there’s no point us looking at attacking full-backs for the type of team we’re building I don’t think.
Central-midfield is there to protect the defence, and kill the game if we manage to take the lead, so going for a tackler to add another defensive option to Matic, Herrera and McTominay makes sense. The club should probably give Fellaini what he wants since his height is clearly important to the type of side we’re building - he’s right that he would cost more to replace. Pogba offers nothing defensively of course, but he has height so hopefully he can improve using that to receive crosses or long-balls from elsewhere in the team.
Central defence is interesting - we have the quantity and seem to have a decent defensive record which should only improve once we get some more defensive quantity in midfield and at full-back. In terms of passing then maybe someone capable of hoofing the ball forward over the opposition midfield to Lukaku and Pogba more accurately might be useful; not sure if Toby is good with that, but he’s got some good general passing quality for a centre-back, so hopefully that can translate.
We already have two hard-working players like Sanchez and Lingard to flank Lukaku so I think we’re OK there - they should be able to get the odd goal from knock-downs, and once we’ve got a lead then they’ll do their bit to defend it. A Willian-type hardworking player makes sense if the opportunity comes-up though.
So I think for the club’s vision to work we still need:
-2 new full-backs who are strong defensively, but can cross the ball better into our taller players
-1 additional tall back-up striker
-1 defensive midfielder
-Fellaini renewed or someone with similar height to replace his skills
-Maybe a centre-back good at passing the ball long
We currently have a lot of players who probably don’t fit in with that vision - as much as I like him and wish we were building a team that could use him, Martial doesn’t have the physical presence to play as a striker in this type of team I don’t think, nor does he do enough defensive work to displace Sanchez or Lingard, which might be the difference between us seeing-out a 1-0 win or not. Mata likewise I love but this isn’t the team for him. Rashford does work hard so maybe he can rotate occasionally. Blind and Darmian are pretty much gone already, so with Carrick retired then we can balance the in/out numbers quite well. Focusing on older players with experience makes sense to help us see-out games - we should have the money to replace them with a similar vintage every few years anyway. Don’t see much room for young players unless they have a McTominay-like attitude to do what they’re told, so I guess the likes of Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah will go as well, though if they grow and develop defensively elsewhere then maybe we’d buy them back in five years or so?
Still a bit to go until we have the side we seem to be targeting, but get our targets this summer and we might be good to go.
We’re building around a big man striker in Lukaku, but we don’t have anyone to play that role if he’s injured so the links to someone like Mandzukic and Arnautovic make sense on that score. I’m not sure who the alternatives might be if we fail to get them though - as much as I think he’s a waster, Andy Carroll is tall enough obviously, but I’m not sure he has the work-rate for the role Jose wants, but I can’t think of too many other tall strikers who might agree to be back-up to Lukaku as he plays every game he’s fit for. Shame Giroud went to Chelsea, but maybe Sarri won’t fancy him and we can then monitor his availability next summer?
Full-backs both need changing - neither Valencia or Young are good enough at crossing for a big striker (Young might do on the right since he might be able to cross better with his stronger foot coming from the right rather than from the left), so ideally you’d want full-backs with decent crossing ability using their natural foot from each flank. But at the same time, they can’t be too adventurous as they‘ll need to do the job defensively if we manage to take the lead to see-out the game. I don’t know enough about the candidates we’ve been linked with to comment on their crossing or defensive game, but there’s no point us looking at attacking full-backs for the type of team we’re building I don’t think.
Central-midfield is there to protect the defence, and kill the game if we manage to take the lead, so going for a tackler to add another defensive option to Matic, Herrera and McTominay makes sense. The club should probably give Fellaini what he wants since his height is clearly important to the type of side we’re building - he’s right that he would cost more to replace. Pogba offers nothing defensively of course, but he has height so hopefully he can improve using that to receive crosses or long-balls from elsewhere in the team.
Central defence is interesting - we have the quantity and seem to have a decent defensive record which should only improve once we get some more defensive quantity in midfield and at full-back. In terms of passing then maybe someone capable of hoofing the ball forward over the opposition midfield to Lukaku and Pogba more accurately might be useful; not sure if Toby is good with that, but he’s got some good general passing quality for a centre-back, so hopefully that can translate.
We already have two hard-working players like Sanchez and Lingard to flank Lukaku so I think we’re OK there - they should be able to get the odd goal from knock-downs, and once we’ve got a lead then they’ll do their bit to defend it. A Willian-type hardworking player makes sense if the opportunity comes-up though.
So I think for the club’s vision to work we still need:
-2 new full-backs who are strong defensively, but can cross the ball better into our taller players
-1 additional tall back-up striker
-1 defensive midfielder
-Fellaini renewed or someone with similar height to replace his skills
-Maybe a centre-back good at passing the ball long
We currently have a lot of players who probably don’t fit in with that vision - as much as I like him and wish we were building a team that could use him, Martial doesn’t have the physical presence to play as a striker in this type of team I don’t think, nor does he do enough defensive work to displace Sanchez or Lingard, which might be the difference between us seeing-out a 1-0 win or not. Mata likewise I love but this isn’t the team for him. Rashford does work hard so maybe he can rotate occasionally. Blind and Darmian are pretty much gone already, so with Carrick retired then we can balance the in/out numbers quite well. Focusing on older players with experience makes sense to help us see-out games - we should have the money to replace them with a similar vintage every few years anyway. Don’t see much room for young players unless they have a McTominay-like attitude to do what they’re told, so I guess the likes of Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah will go as well, though if they grow and develop defensively elsewhere then maybe we’d buy them back in five years or so?
Still a bit to go until we have the side we seem to be targeting, but get our targets this summer and we might be good to go.
Yes, passing and general control and technique. He's definitely a player we should move for, if we're signing 2 midfielders. I believe he has a 30m euro release clause as well.
The release clause was Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma player.
Rumors mentions something around 40m euro. Still a bargain.
I dreamt last night that I was made United manager (not sure how that came about)
I told Woody to sign Alderweireld, Fabinho, Sessegnon and Kroos
As a clearout, I told him to sell Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Valencia, Young and Fellaini.
I recalled TFM, Tuanzebe and A.Pereira and made them part of the first team squad. I also promoted A.Gomes and Chong into the squad.
I decided to leave all the current attack as is because they hadn't had a chance to play in a proper attacking system like mine.
My first teamsheet pre-season was:
De Gea
Fabinho Alderweireld Bailly Shaw*
Matic Kroos Pogba
Sanchez Lukaku Martial
*I told Shaw that the left back position was his. Sessegnon as a young player had to try and break in either at LB or left wing
When I realised that Mata wasn't even on my bench I decided to tell Woody to release him on a free (as a goodwill gesture for Juan)
I told Woody to sign Alderweireld, Fabinho, Sessegnon and Kroos
As a clearout, I told him to sell Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Valencia, Young and Fellaini.
I recalled TFM, Tuanzebe and A.Pereira and made them part of the first team squad. I also promoted A.Gomes and Chong into the squad.
I decided to leave all the current attack as is because they hadn't had a chance to play in a proper attacking system like mine.
My first teamsheet pre-season was:
De Gea
Fabinho Alderweireld Bailly Shaw*
Matic Kroos Pogba
Sanchez Lukaku Martial
*I told Shaw that the left back position was his. Sessegnon as a young player had to try and break in either at LB or left wing
When I realised that Mata wasn't even on my bench I decided to tell Woody to release him on a free (as a goodwill gesture for Juan)
Last edited:
We need more energy in Midfield. Someone who covers a lot of ground quickly, and who helps between Matic and Pogba. Fred can do this job and will add that work rate to our midfield.
We need 2 Mobile full backs ( Sandro and/or Fabinho/Sidibe) who can cross the ball properly and defend well also.
A Right winger with flair and dribbling ability who will add goals and assists to our forwards.
Getting 2 top full backs will take a lot of pressure off our CB's, and Maybe we could add a forward player instead of a CB to our squad. We may need a target man to fall back on, if Lukaku gets injured.
We need 2 Mobile full backs ( Sandro and/or Fabinho/Sidibe) who can cross the ball properly and defend well also.
A Right winger with flair and dribbling ability who will add goals and assists to our forwards.
Getting 2 top full backs will take a lot of pressure off our CB's, and Maybe we could add a forward player instead of a CB to our squad. We may need a target man to fall back on, if Lukaku gets injured.
Last edited:
Brilliant! Made my day.
Crouch as back up striker? Stoke relegated and should be cheap.