Sorting out the LB position should be number one priority.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
Spot on then a third midfielder and a partner for Bailey I'd imagine.
A right winger and a left back are desperately needed for this squad
My view hasn't changed we need a:
Right winger
Left back
Right back (young talent to rotate with Valencia and take over eventually)
CM
I don't want a Left winger Martial and Rashford can do a good enough gob there.
Right winger
Left back
Right back (young talent to rotate with Valencia and take over eventually)
CM
I don't want a Left winger Martial and Rashford can do a good enough gob there.
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It's not that I'm not worried, it's just lower on the list of priorities IMO. As for TFM, I guess that answer will be easier to give after a full season for Palace, if they use him as a RB the whole time.
I definitely think a CM will be on the agenda, probably a DM but Mopurinho might be thinking about the fact we have no one in midfield that can change gears when Pogba is out.
Malcom, RF.
Tierney, LB.
Pulisic, CAM.
Milinkovic Savic, CM.
Tierney, LB.
Pulisic, CAM.
Milinkovic Savic, CM.
Someone better than Mkhitaryan to play #10.
The types of players Mourinho used to play there in his league winning teams were; Deco, Lampard, Kaka, Sneijder, Oscar and Özil. Kaka aside, these players were integral to the success of his teams in domestic as well as European competitions.
Sorry to say it as he seems like a nice bloke but Mkhitaryan is nowhere near the level of those players when they won his side the title, each of these number #10's showed consistency by contributing each week, even Özil contrary to many opinions on him. And I do hope we're seriously considering Özil with his deal expiring soon or even Griezmann/Dybala.
Mourinho's own criteria:
The types of players Mourinho used to play there in his league winning teams were; Deco, Lampard, Kaka, Sneijder, Oscar and Özil. Kaka aside, these players were integral to the success of his teams in domestic as well as European competitions.
Sorry to say it as he seems like a nice bloke but Mkhitaryan is nowhere near the level of those players when they won his side the title, each of these number #10's showed consistency by contributing each week, even Özil contrary to many opinions on him. And I do hope we're seriously considering Özil with his deal expiring soon or even Griezmann/Dybala.
Mourinho's own criteria:
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How many top class #10s/second strikers are actually available at the moment? Just Griezmann, Özil (who I still have my reservations about), maybe Sanchez?
We should be looking at Nabil Fekir. He definitely has the required skillset and is surprisingly robust for a player of his diminutive stature. I think he'd be a massive hit.
Good shout.
How has he been since his injury? Heard he's been playing well but I haven't really kept up with him.
We need :
1 DM
1 LB
1CM
1 RB
1 RW
1 DM
1 LB
1CM
1 RB
1 RW
We need 3 players in January:
Young cover for Matic (Maybe that Belgian lad from Anderlecht people were raving about)
LB we seem to be heavily linked with Aaron Martin (was mentioned many times on Bein yesterday).
Özil, we should make a move in January IMO, he can play in the CL and would give us a lot of creativity as our 10 and is twice the player Mikhi is.
Young cover for Matic (Maybe that Belgian lad from Anderlecht people were raving about)
LB we seem to be heavily linked with Aaron Martin (was mentioned many times on Bein yesterday).
Özil, we should make a move in January IMO, he can play in the CL and would give us a lot of creativity as our 10 and is twice the player Mikhi is.
Paulo Dybala. World class but would cost 120m.
We need a LB, RW, #10 and ideally backup in MF. We often have injuries, so having a quality player to come in for Pogba/Matic in case of emergencies would be good. Herrera really doesn't seem like a top player anymore and if we were to lose Matic we'd be pretty boned. We really need a better LB than the ones we have as it's a pretty ragtag bunch for a side with title aspirations. At RW, we need someone who can beat his man regularly and actually cross a ball, and Mkhitaryan just doesn't seem cut out for the PL most of the time, and while I like Mata, he's not of the quality we need in that area anymore as a starter.
I think the purse strings are being tightened a little, so I would like to see us bring in Ozil to free up funds for a quality LB. If we could get those in Jan and get Zlatan back, we'd suddenly look a much more classy side I think, and could address RW (and MF backup) in the summer. I'd like to see:
I think the purse strings are being tightened a little, so I would like to see us bring in Ozil to free up funds for a quality LB. If we could get those in Jan and get Zlatan back, we'd suddenly look a much more classy side I think, and could address RW (and MF backup) in the summer. I'd like to see:
De Gea
Valencia -- Bailly -- Rojo -- NewLB
Matic ------- Pogba
Rashford ----- Ozil -----Martial
Lukaku
Valencia -- Bailly -- Rojo -- NewLB
Matic ------- Pogba
Rashford ----- Ozil -----Martial
Lukaku
What I think we need
LB / RB (can be someone young to gradually take over Valencia/Young) / CM / 10 / RW
What I hope we get realistically
LB / 10 / RW
Although a decent 10 and RW sounds impossible too
LB / RB (can be someone young to gradually take over Valencia/Young) / CM / 10 / RW
What I hope we get realistically
LB / 10 / RW
Although a decent 10 and RW sounds impossible too
£300m.
How could he be worth 300m when the 3rd best player in the world went for 200m?
2 full-backs would do for me to be honest. I really don't think we're far away now.
300m for someone who wets himself taking a penalty?
I was kidding but I think he'll be closer to the £160m PSG didn't pay for Mbappe this summer.
Hmmm RW,RB,CM, 10/CAM
RW weird position because there is cover there but feel like we need someone dynamic there and Jose doesn’t seem to want to entertain Martial or Rashford on that side.
RB. Would be nice to have an attacking threat there and Valencia is getting older.
CM kinda feel like we need someone who can dictate and control games with an attacking intent. I love Herrera bit he is now more of a get the ball back and harry kind of guy. Someone like a Modric or Silva but aren’t much of those about.
Dybala, don’t need to say much more on that. The kids a wizard.
RW weird position because there is cover there but feel like we need someone dynamic there and Jose doesn’t seem to want to entertain Martial or Rashford on that side.
RB. Would be nice to have an attacking threat there and Valencia is getting older.
CM kinda feel like we need someone who can dictate and control games with an attacking intent. I love Herrera bit he is now more of a get the ball back and harry kind of guy. Someone like a Modric or Silva but aren’t much of those about.
Dybala, don’t need to say much more on that. The kids a wizard.
Wouldn't (for once) disagree with your overall analysis, these are the positions we now need to be looking at WC levels, we have some decent players but not convinced about Myki, also Herrera as you say, is becoming the 'spoiler' rather than creator; hopefully when Pogba's back we will get some creativity back in midfield, but tend to think Mourhino's reached first base with current squad, now needs to lift his sights further.
I'd say LB is more of an issue than RB.
I remember him saying he didn't like the PL though? He'll most likely end up at Barca as Messi's long-term replacement
Yeah, he’s got a solid team but do feel it needs some glitter thrown on it in certain areas. Needs someone too take control of midfield who can cope with pressure. Not sure Pogba is quite ready to dictate midfield but he’s certainly a force in there. Thiago Alcantara 4years too late maybe
better late than never I guess (damn you Moyes)I think Miki is a good player at heart but like I said to you the other day if he was playing for City we’d see the best out of him. He’s not doing himself any favours right now tho but I think he is a much better player than what we have seen.
@SS I’ve got faith that eventually Luke Shaw is going to come through this and be the guy we want him to be. Cup cakes will be his way in for the moment tho.
Yeah, he’s got a solid team but do feel it needs some glitter thrown on it in certain areas. Needs someone too take control of midfield who can cope with pressure. Not sure Pogba is quite ready to dictate midfield but he’s certainly a force in there. Thiago Alcantara 4years too late maybe
I think Miki is a good player at heart but like I said to you the other day if he was playing for City we’d see the best out of him. He’s not doing himself any favours right now tho but I think he is a much better player than what we have seen.
@SS I’ve got faith that eventually Luke Shaw is going to come through this and be the guy we want him to be. Cup cakes will be his way in for the moment tho.
Let's hope not
I'd be all for going all out for Thiago though.
Damn predictive textLet's hope not
I'd be all for going all out for Thiago though.
If we could sort these two out in January and focus on RW and #10 in the summer it would be great, I think we'll leave RB until the window after.
2 full backs and a creative attacking player.
I think we only need two players to challenge on all fronts, 3 if we stick with 4-2-3-1.
Arguably Griezmann and a left wing back is all we need to compete for the Premier League and Champion's League. I think they could turn us into one of the better counter-attacking sides in Europe.
Griezmann could be given that role Hazard has for Chelsea, a free role where he can move wherever he wants to cause damage. Fitting since his movement is the most dangerous thing about him. He played as a striker for Atletico Madrid but by giving him freedom even when wide I think he wouldn't be constrained by his position on paper.
You could always just change to 3-5-2 instead if Griezmann absolutely must be a striker in a partnership instead I guess.
If you're playing on the break (which Mourinho is doing) against the best teams instead of taking the initiative to attack, a third centre back might be wise. I maintain that 4-2-3-1 is an excellent formation in the league, switching to 4-3-3/3-4-3 (pretty sure they are basically the same) in tougher games.
LWB Options:
Alex Sandro (£70-80m)
Kieran Tierney (£20-30m)
Alejandro Grimaldo (£40-50m)
Ivan Perisic (£50m)
Any other left wing backs on the market?
Arguably Griezmann and a left wing back is all we need to compete for the Premier League and Champion's League. I think they could turn us into one of the better counter-attacking sides in Europe.
Martial/Rashford - Lukaku - Griezmann
LWB - Matić - Pogba - Valencia
Rojo - Bailly - Smalling
De Gea
I still think we would need a ball playing centre back which was probably supposed to be Lindelöf but I don't trust him defensively so I put Smalling in there, although Jones could fit in too.LWB - Matić - Pogba - Valencia
Rojo - Bailly - Smalling
De Gea
Griezmann could be given that role Hazard has for Chelsea, a free role where he can move wherever he wants to cause damage. Fitting since his movement is the most dangerous thing about him. He played as a striker for Atletico Madrid but by giving him freedom even when wide I think he wouldn't be constrained by his position on paper.
You could always just change to 3-5-2 instead if Griezmann absolutely must be a striker in a partnership instead I guess.
If you're playing on the break (which Mourinho is doing) against the best teams instead of taking the initiative to attack, a third centre back might be wise. I maintain that 4-2-3-1 is an excellent formation in the league, switching to 4-3-3/3-4-3 (pretty sure they are basically the same) in tougher games.
LWB Options:
Alex Sandro (£70-80m)
Kieran Tierney (£20-30m)
Alejandro Grimaldo (£40-50m)
Ivan Perisic (£50m)
Any other left wing backs on the market?
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RW, CAM and LB and we're good to go.
4 corners and a CAM by end of next summer.
We can't continue to rely on converted wingers for FB's, using a #10 as a right winger, and strikers as a left winger.
Not too mention picking someone to fill LB via bingo pot.
We can't continue to rely on converted wingers for FB's, using a #10 as a right winger, and strikers as a left winger.
Not too mention picking someone to fill LB via bingo pot.
Some ba**s and some desire.
I think we have to be looking at 4 in over January and sthe summer, minimum, it depends on if we decide to address RB, even with a young understudy.
There's a lot of good options around, not all of them are the finished article but that's ok as the way the market is heading there is going to be a limit on how many truly top established players you can get in a window unless you're PSG or City.
LB - Ghoulam/Jorge/Tierny/Martin/Grimaldo
CM - Dendoncker/Weigl/Goretzka/Pellegrini
RWF/RM -Pulisic/Soler/Oyarzabal/Malcom
#10/SS/AM - Dybala/Griezmann/Ozil/Fekir/Milinkovic-Savic
There's a lot of good options around, not all of them are the finished article but that's ok as the way the market is heading there is going to be a limit on how many truly top established players you can get in a window unless you're PSG or City.
LB - Ghoulam/Jorge/Tierny/Martin/Grimaldo
CM - Dendoncker/Weigl/Goretzka/Pellegrini
RWF/RM -Pulisic/Soler/Oyarzabal/Malcom
#10/SS/AM - Dybala/Griezmann/Ozil/Fekir/Milinkovic-Savic
Letting Sanchez go to City would be a huge mistake (like as if they need anymore attacking players). Mourinho and Woodward need to sign both Ozil and Sanchez. Both are PL proven. We've lacked a quality No. 10 to break teams down and an attacking and goal scoring RW. Give them both 25m each signing on bonus. We would have paid 50m just for them and then we can strengthen on getting a LB, CB, CM (Sergej Milinkovic Savic), ST (Werner) and probably sell Mata, Luke Shaw, Blind and Smalling.
Squad
GK - De Gea, Romero, J Pereira
CB - Jones, Rojo, Bailly, Lindelof, New CB (Van Dijk), Tuanzebe
LB - Mitchell, New LB (Grimaldo), Darmian
RB - Valencia, Darmian, Ashley Young, Foshu Mensah
CM - Matic, Herrera, Pogba, New CM (Sergej Milinkovic Savic), Fellaini
AM - New AM (Ozil), Mhikitaryan, A Periera, McTominay
LW - Martial, Rashford, New LW (Sanchez)
RW - Lingard, New RW (Sanchez), New RW (Werner)
ST - Lukaku, Rashford, New ST (Werner)
Assuming Zlatan will remain till the end of the season and move on. So therefore didn't include him.
----------------------- De Gea ----------------------------
Valencia ------ Bailly -------- Van Dijk -------- Grimaldo
-------- Matic/ Savic --------- Pogba --------------------
----------------- Ozil/ Mhikitaryan ------------------------
Sanchez --------------------------------Rashford/ Martial
-------------------- Lukaku/ Werner-----------------------
Squad
GK - De Gea, Romero, J Pereira
CB - Jones, Rojo, Bailly, Lindelof, New CB (Van Dijk), Tuanzebe
LB - Mitchell, New LB (Grimaldo), Darmian
RB - Valencia, Darmian, Ashley Young, Foshu Mensah
CM - Matic, Herrera, Pogba, New CM (Sergej Milinkovic Savic), Fellaini
AM - New AM (Ozil), Mhikitaryan, A Periera, McTominay
LW - Martial, Rashford, New LW (Sanchez)
RW - Lingard, New RW (Sanchez), New RW (Werner)
ST - Lukaku, Rashford, New ST (Werner)
Assuming Zlatan will remain till the end of the season and move on. So therefore didn't include him.
----------------------- De Gea ----------------------------
Valencia ------ Bailly -------- Van Dijk -------- Grimaldo
-------- Matic/ Savic --------- Pogba --------------------
----------------- Ozil/ Mhikitaryan ------------------------
Sanchez --------------------------------Rashford/ Martial
-------------------- Lukaku/ Werner-----------------------
For everyone mentioning Dendocker, he has been absolutely awful this season. Tielemans was way ahead of him, and can't even get in the Monaco team.
We need a right winger, CM and LB, that is all.
Pulisic is a no brainer. I'd take a pun on Leicester's Ndidi.
We need a right winger, CM and LB, that is all.
Pulisic is a no brainer. I'd take a pun on Leicester's Ndidi.
I've always been against signing more than 4-5 players in a single window, not sure if I'm the only one here? I'm saying this because I just worry about integrating too many new players all at once into a new team. Obviously you can sign more than 5 players in one go and every new signing is a success but that's just my feelings towards it...
But in terms of priority order, I think it should be the below 5 spread out over the 2 upcoming windows:
1) Right winger - preferably one who could also operate on the left wing if needed. Perisic comes to mind
2) CAM - Griezmann/Dybala are my preferences.
3) Left-back - providing Luke Shaw is destined to fail can't think of too many LB's but Sandro would be my preference!
4) CM - one that can control a game and is also able to get stuck in a bit. No names stick out
5) Right-back - I believe we should sign a young RB as a long-term replacement for Valencia. As much as I love Tony, he isn't getting any younger and lets be honest, his crossing ability is quite dreadful!
I know it's incredibility difficult to sign the right players needed in a January window but I would love us to get at least 1, or if lucky 2 of the positions sorted! That way, especially now with a shorter summer transfer window from next year, we have more time to focus on the remaining 3-4 positions.
In today's market, obtaining the above would probably cost us at least £200m - 250m! we would definitely have to sell a few but I highly doubt we will get much in return. The likes of Young and Darmian and probably at least 1 or 2 more may have to make way as our squad is huge as it is.
But in terms of priority order, I think it should be the below 5 spread out over the 2 upcoming windows:
1) Right winger - preferably one who could also operate on the left wing if needed. Perisic comes to mind
2) CAM - Griezmann/Dybala are my preferences.
3) Left-back - providing Luke Shaw is destined to fail
can't think of too many LB's but Sandro would be my preference!4) CM - one that can control a game and is also able to get stuck in a bit. No names stick out
5) Right-back - I believe we should sign a young RB as a long-term replacement for Valencia. As much as I love Tony, he isn't getting any younger and lets be honest, his crossing ability is quite dreadful!
I know it's incredibility difficult to sign the right players needed in a January window but I would love us to get at least 1, or if lucky 2 of the positions sorted! That way, especially now with a shorter summer transfer window from next year, we have more time to focus on the remaining 3-4 positions.
In today's market, obtaining the above would probably cost us at least £200m - 250m!
we would definitely have to sell a few but I highly doubt we will get much in return. The likes of Young and Darmian and probably at least 1 or 2 more may have to make way as our squad is huge as it is.Summer 2018:
RB - Thomas Meunier - Assists and goals for Lukaku
LB - Kieran Tierney - Killing it at Celtic. I don't think Shaw has a future at Utd
CM - Saul Niguez - We need someone who can control the game but also score and support Pogba - I think Saul is a replacement for Carrick and an upgrade on Herrera.
I don't think we need Griezmann/Dybala - Having the two new RB-LB would automatically increase Lukaku's ability in the box, especially in the air. We don't have quality wingers and full backs who can cross well regularly.
I think we desperately need another winger on the right hand side. Maybe Christian Pulisic.
RB - Thomas Meunier - Assists and goals for Lukaku
LB - Kieran Tierney - Killing it at Celtic. I don't think Shaw has a future at Utd
CM - Saul Niguez - We need someone who can control the game but also score and support Pogba - I think Saul is a replacement for Carrick and an upgrade on Herrera.
I don't think we need Griezmann/Dybala - Having the two new RB-LB would automatically increase Lukaku's ability in the box, especially in the air. We don't have quality wingers and full backs who can cross well regularly.
I think we desperately need another winger on the right hand side. Maybe Christian Pulisic.
RB - Thomas Meunier
LB - Kieran Tierney (Should be under 20M only) + Faouzi Ghoulam (free)
CM - Leon Goretzka (free) / Sergej Milinković-Savić
AM - Ozil (free)
SS - Griezmann (100M Euro)
LB - Kieran Tierney (Should be under 20M only) + Faouzi Ghoulam (free)
CM - Leon Goretzka (free) / Sergej Milinković-Savić
AM - Ozil (free)
SS - Griezmann (100M Euro)
- A genuine playmaker. A bonafide No.10 that can only play the No.10 position, who's main job is creating an getting the ball to our forwards.
- A Left-Back in his prime that can play left wingback when we play 352. Don't want a promising up and coming one like Tierney. Go after Ghoulam or Sandro.
- A creative right-footed right winger that can keep width, cross the ball, create and score.
- A back-up CM for Pogba and Matic.