What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition

[sherrinford]

That doesn't really say much.

Does it tell you he’s an unknown commodity?

 

[Cee90]

We will definitely sign at least another 2 players in my opinion, no way will Jose go in to the new season like this.

We also have a few players which will be offloaded too of course.

 

[rpg]

I say we need a LB, world class centre back to partner Bailly, and a world class creator up top I.e Ronaldo/Bale. Someone capable of creating their own goals.

 

[Devil may care]

RB. You are right, we didn't improve our RB position, Valencia will play most of the games. However, Dalot was a good risk to take... he can have some minutes and become our main RB next year.
CB and LB. We haven't addressed this problem YET. We still have time to make good signings. But, we should have signed Alderweireld and Sandro by now.
CM. We need a top tier, someone like Thiago or Verratti. Both players seems to be available, Thiago would fit our midfield perfectly. If Mourinho prefers a young CM, then Neves would be a good option.
RW. We need a game changer here, someone like Dybala or Bale (with a fair fee and wages). If they are too expensive, we could try to sign a RW like Pulisic, Bailey, Malcom or even Mahrez if he doesn't sign for City.

If we sign the right players, we could end up with a squad like this:
GK. De Gea/Romero
RB. Valencia/Dalot
CB. Alderweireld/Bailly/Smalling/Lindelof
LB. Sandro/Young
CDM. Matic/Herrera
RCM. Thiago/Fred
LCM. Pogba/Lingard
RW. Dybala/Mata
LW. Sanchez/Martial
ST. Lukaku/Rashford

Somehow I don't see any of those high end attackers happening, and the constant updates are that we are not bothering to fix the LB situastion. Verratti and Thiago both seem like they might be available this summer, either would be exact fits for what the midfield is missing.

Valid points, but there's no reason to make a fuss this early in the window. We are still only halfway through June, and we have brought in two players that address recent problems of the squad's depth.

I agree that none are world beaters yet, but both are interesting. Usually in June there wouldn't have been happening much officially.

Add that DDG probably has accepted a new contract, which is a move worth every transfer this summer, imo. There was also rumoured that we were on the Griezmann ball, but rejected by Griezmann himself.

I think you are reading to much into Bailly's season ending. Remember that he struggled with some injuries, so his crumpling standing in the squad can have many explanations. He will be back next season, and hopefully with a new CB by his side that benches Jones and Smalling for the foreseeable future. It is a shame that they have not developed further, and I really like them, but I also liked Evans, Fletcher, O'Shea, ect. Enough is enough.

I am confident that the CB presented will be a quite clear upgrade, ho ever it might be. Lenglet is a good shout, but I don't think Woody's hands are tied on a CB with passing abilities. As discussed in other threads and this one, José has played with and without a ball playing CB, so EW is probably looking to make a deal with and absolute beast like Koulibaly, and or with Lenglet or Alderweireld.

I agree it's early-ish, the window does close earlier this year though and the World Cup is in the way of getting business done. My post was just bouncing off the ones above though, that were saying they thought our business was complete.

The De Gea thing is back up in the air from what I read, so that victory is on hold for now, which isn't surprising, can't really find fault in him taking his time given where we are and who we have vs where he could go.

On the CB front I think it's not so much about the ball playing aspect, it's finding a CB that has the composure and football brains to marshall the back 4, right now we have a bunch of good physical CB's but none that can lead the defense.

 

[Flytan]

Based on how we've spent on previous windows, people still seem to think signing big names is the answer to our problems is what confuses me. It's not as if we've ignored signing a CM, we've just signed someone who everyone isn't familiar with.

Also, on the thing about news. I'm pretty sure there was no news on Dalot until a few days before we signed him. I wouldn't take the press as an indicator as to our transfer activity. Just relax and enjoy the world cup. It's obvious that we need reinforcements and they will come.

Oh I'm not. It's just why certain fans are frustrated. People went into this window thinking we'd spend big again and all reports have us pulling out of deals because of lack of value. It's not wrong/right, just explains people's frustration.

 

[settembrini]

In a dream world we could use Ribalta and his connections with Juventus plus the fact they want a couple of our players to fix all our main problems at once. Give them Darmian, Martial and money and get Sandro, Mandzukic and one of Dybala/Bernardeschi.

18/19 squad: De Gea, Romero, Sandro, Young, Smalling, Bailly, Rojo, Lindelof, Valencia, Dalot, Pogba, Matic, Fred, Herrera, Lingard, McTominay/Pereira, Sanchez, Rashford, Dybala/Bernardeschi, Mata, Lukaku, Mandzukic.

 

[cathari]

I agree it's early-ish, the window does close earlier this year though and the World Cup is in the way of getting business done. My post was just bouncing off the ones above though, that were saying they thought our business was complete.

The De Gea thing is back up in the air from what I read, so that victory is on hold for now, which isn't surprising, can't really find fault in him taking his time given where we are and who we have vs where he could go.

On the CB front I think it's not so much about the ball playing aspect, it's finding a CB that has the composure and football brains to marshall the back 4, right now we have a bunch of good physical CB's but none that can lead the defense.

Wow, I gotta say I didn't expect my argument to decompose this fast. Your point on what time we have left after the world cup is a very good one. Especially given that the most interesting players from the WC could play until the very end. And in addition, seeing DDG's contract is not done and dusted, I don't know what to say. We are more fragile than I considered.

Regarding a CB, I totally agree. As long as we get in a leader, I'll be overjoyed. But, I feel a little bit anxious that Ed's activity is giving Lenglet the Barca transfer, Skriniar a new contract and Alderweireld a transfer only next summer. I guess Ed has to be vigilant with his negotiations and just pay up, or we'll end up in August without a new defender, and probably sorting out a Berba transfer for Alderweireld (at Levy's pricing).

Slippery slope balancing transfer deals and father time.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Minimum of a starting left back and right winger for me. Failing that I don't see how we could be even close to catching City. Valencia and Young and just too old and not really good enough anymore.

 

[trevor newnham]

if Chelsea dont want Loftus-Cheek, would it be a good idea to have a go at him? He seems to be pretty useful whenever Ive seen him play. And of course, he is English which would help.

 

[MUFC OK]

Realistically it's looking like a Mandzukic, Willian and possibly Skrinar. With Martial leaving for £60+m.

Not good enough though, failing to address the fullback (LB particularly) situation is criminal. Our team is screaming out for balance, we need as a minimum
Starting LB
First team quality CM
A RW if we don't plan on playing Martial/Sanchez/Rashford there
A starting CB as we cannot rely on the others due to form/fitness.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Sandro and Alderwierld and I'll be happy.

Rashford could nail the RW role with minutes there imo.

 

[Lawman]

Sandro and Alderwierld and I'll be happy.

Rashford could nail the RW role with minutes there imo.

Think right attack is the most urgent position.

 

[Fer]

Sandro and Alderwierld and I'll be happy.

Rashford could nail the RW role with minutes there imo.

I wasn't impressed with him when he played there. I think we need a winger like Mahrez there.

Totally agree with you about Sandro and Alderweireld, they would improve our defense and bring balance to our team.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Think right attack is the most urgent position.

Not for me. Another signing, say Willian. And the front 3 will essentially be a lock at Sanchez, Lukaku, Willian. I'd hate to see Rashford and Lingard frozen out. I'd let them compete for that position.

The defence is weak. We have not conceded many goals but the defenders offer nothing to our play. In those frustrating games where we need a goal, they'll just pass it sideways between themselves like it's a hot potato, until Pogba has to run 30 yards backwards to collect it off of them. The full backs offer nothing defensively or going forward either IMO.

 

[Lawman]

Not for me. Another signing, say Willian. And the front 3 will essentially be a lock at Sanchez, Lukaku, Willian. I'd hate to see Rashford and Lingard frozen out. I'd let them compete for that position.

The defence is weak. We have not conceded many goals but the defenders offer nothing to our play. In those frustrating games where we need a goal, they'll just pass it sideways between themselves like it's a hot potato, until Pogba has to run 30 yards backwards to collect it off of them. The full backs offer nothing defensively or going forward either IMO.

I'd not disagree with what you're saying regarding our defenders but still think unless we sign a right attacker we'll be well short of quality as Mata and lingard are not up to the standard needed imo. Especially at right attack.

 

[Judas]

LB and RW. I'll be gutted and baffled if we don't solve those positions. Must be addressed. I think we could survive not getting in another CB honestly, I don't think it's the massive issue it's made out to be on here, not more so than other areas. Yeah it would be nice if they were more adventurous with the ball, but further up the pitch we're just as clueless.

 

[An Irish Red]

Not for me. Another signing, say Willian. And the front 3 will essentially be a lock at Sanchez, Lukaku, Willian. I'd hate to see Rashford and Lingard frozen out. I'd let them compete for that position.

If we want to win league titles then neither Rashford nor Lingard are good enough. Neither would get on Citys bench and that's who we are competing with.

We need top quality in attack. Sentiment shouldn't stop us from getting it.

 

[Fer]

LB and RW. I'll be gutted and baffled if we don't solve those positions. Must be addressed. I think we could survive not getting in another CB honestly, I don't think it's the massive issue it's made out to be on here, not more so than other areas. Yeah it would be nice if they were more adventurous with the ball, but further up the pitch we're just as clueless.

Agree with your point. But the key is to sign top players in those positions.
I hope Dalot can have some minutes to be our starter as RB next year, Fred is going to bring balance to our midfield.

 

[Kapardin]

Hamez would have been a perfect #10 for us. Remember so many not wanting him when he was linked with us.

LB and RW. I'll be gutted and baffled if we don't solve those positions. Must be addressed. I think we could survive not getting in another CB honestly, I don't think it's the massive issue it's made out to be on here, not more so than other areas. Yeah it would be nice if they were more adventurous with the ball, but further up the pitch we're just as clueless.

This sums up the situation nicely.

 

[MUFC OK]

One player who may be worth taking a punt on is Vida of Croatia. I've only watched him at major tournaments and always wonder why he isn't playing for a big club.

He's fantastic in the air and at 29 could be the experienced head we need at the back, perhaps he's not of the required standard but he's certainly a presence and I would seriously consider him.

Any one else impressed by this guy?

 

[Fer]

What we need this transfer window: RW and LB as priorities.
It could wait for next summer: Another CM, and a new CB to play with Bailly, Smalling, Rojo, Jones, Lindelof, Blind?, TFM, Tuanzebe, etc.