What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
We are too far behind City to mount a feasible comeback - it's possible, obviously, but I certainly wouldn't be desperately spending money in Jan in a vein attempt to overhaul an eight point deficit.
I would wait until the summer and then rebuild, properly.
What do we need?
First, we need to sell:
Second, we need to buy:
That's it, for me: six out and four in.
Bring back A.Pereira from Valencia and promote A.Gomes to the first team squad. Both are good enough and both are young, which should be a priority.
I would wait until the summer and then rebuild, properly.
What do we need?
First, we need to sell:
- Mata - he is a possession footballer in a system intended (althought not currently implemented) for pace and counters; he is a lovely player but not the correct style
- Mhiki - see Mata; replace with someone younger and hungrier
- Lingard - got outrun by a referee; replace with someone faster
- Carrick - one of the midfield greats at our club, but next season he will filling a slot in the squad that could go to A.Pereira
- Herrera - he does not make enough interceptions or carry enough physical presence to be a 'destroyer' and, despite being slight of frame and Spanish, does not pass the ball well enough to be a direct replacement for Carrick; I don't see what he brings to the squad that we couldn't replace with someone slightly better (and possibly younger)
- Shaw - he is clearly not the same physical product that he was before that very unfortunate leg break
Second, we need to buy:
- LW - a (natural) left winger with searing pace and a tendency to assist rather than score
- RW - a (natural) right winger with searing pace and a tendency to assist rather than score
- LB - with the purchase of actual wingers in the attacking wide positions, we could buy a left back that is tasked with playing as a left back, rather than the current remit left back, left wingback and left winger
- DM - young, athletic and an ability to recycle the ball effectively
That's it, for me: six out and four in.
Bring back A.Pereira from Valencia and promote A.Gomes to the first team squad. Both are good enough and both are young, which should be a priority.
- GKs are fine
- CBs are fine
- a new LB ro rotate with Blind
- Darmian and Valencia to cover RB
- Matic and a new DM
- Pogba, A.Pereira, A.Gomes and Fellaini as No.8s - all with different attributes for different options
- no No.10 in the squad - we don't need one for this system
- a new LW and a new RW (natural wingers)
- Lukaku, Martial and Rashford as the squad's CFs - if we play two up front then one sits on the bench; if it's one up top then we have two on the bench, with one of them an option to be played on the wing
I completely disagree that we need 5 new players. We hear this every single season on here and after we sign those 4 players we still need another 5. As it stands we need an attacking goalscorer and a left back next Summer, with possibly a right back and central midfielder in 2019. Obviously if Martial/Rashford don't improve at all be may need another attacker. In terms of central midfield Pogba, Matic, Herrera, Fellaini, with Pereira possibly coming back in is quite a strong midfield in my view. Most teams don't have their player of the season as their third best central midfielder.
I agree that we could trim the squad a little and would like to see Mkhitaryan, Carrick & Young moved on, along with McTominay, Tuanzebe and possibly Lindelof loaned out (the latter if he shows no significant improvement in the next 6 months).
People who I would like to have sold/ moved on
Fellaini - As much as Fellaini offers with his work rate, his tall stature and getting into the box and winning headers. I just don't see him developing our team for the longer run. If things don't seem to be working out, we quickly go to the Fellaini option and start whipping long balls into the box and against the top teams (who tend to be more disciplined), that sort of tactic wouldn't work. My logic is that if we aren't able to break down a team through clever passes, we need to increase the pace in the side. Martial/ Rashford do offer that when they come on but we need a playmaker whose quick enough to take control of the game and control the pace of the game on the field and off the bench. So I would switch him for someone whose tall enough to do what Fellaini does as well as dictate the pace of the game.
Herrera - Herrera was one of my favorite players last season to the extent that I wanted him to be captain this season but he has been atrocious. He's not a great playmaker and can't play inn a midfield 2. He can't be a replacement for Matic. His biggest asset is his pressing game which hasn't been upto par this season. I'm starting to believe that last season could have been a one off. He's a great servant to the club but I think he needs to be moved on as he doesn't offer anything creatively.
Mhikitaryan - This has got to be one of the most difficult choices to have let go just because the guy has a great attitude but unfortunately, apart from the first 5 games, the guy has gone missing. I've never seen someone so lost. He's just not able to take his strengths and actually work wonders for us. Mhiki's biggest asset is his quick passing and pace and directness to run at opposition. We saw glimpses last season but he just hasn't done much this season. He's been played in his favorite No. 10 position in most of the games but just hasn't been able to click with Lukaku. Maybe having Pogba in the team makes him play much better or the tactics that Mourinho has implemented doesn't suit his game. Either way, he just isn't working out. He even got bullied by Hazard in the Chelsea game. Lacks mental strength to produce high quality performances like what David Silva does for City.
Darmian/ Young/ Blind/ Shaw - I think all these alternatives for the full backs have been pretty bad for us. Neither of them offer anything spectacular in attack which is why we've struggled. Yes, we have scored goals but if you compare the number of assists Walker, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Trippier, Ben Davis have completed this season, you can tell that we as a team are weak in the full back region and that's had a huge impact on our team performances. The manner in which we play is that our wingers tuck inside while the full backs overlap and drive to give us width which hasn't been the case. Valencia whose had a decent season so far does not offer much attacking prowess. He maybe quick and able to beat his man but his crossing has been pretty poor.
People who I would like to have join our team
Sergej Milinkovic Savic - This tall beast of a player has been tearing up the Seria A. He's tall and technically very good. What I like about him is that he can fill in for Pogba whenever Pogba is out injured/ suspended or even play with him. He would be a much much better replacement for Fellaini. The guy is good going forward as well and from the rumors doing the rounds, City are also after him. I would easily throw 55m to secure his services.
----------- Matic ------------
-- Savic ----------- Pogba --
Pogba and Savic can both drive forward and attack. The game is lost or won in midfield. With a power pact midfield like Matic/ Savic & Pogba, Pogba could also work his magic in the final third and play as a False No. 10 while Savic covers for him. With a midfield like this, we won't need to "park the bus". I think he's a United type of player and would elevate our midfield in terms of performances.
Periera - Andreas is out on loan but I feel he needs to be playing for United (even if it means playing him in every cup game and giving him the occasional minutes in the PL when we are comfortably winning the game). He's got the talent and potential to dictate the game. He's also a terrific set piece expert. We've not been able to provide any threat in terms of goal from set pieces. These are important when we come across teams that defend deep.
Sergi Roberto - Sergi is a good right back option to have as well as cover for the midfield. He's technically pretty superior and he can actually cross the ball. With two games played practically every week, Valencia can't play in every game and I feel Sergi offers something better. He offers a lot in the attacking third.
Tim Werner - Tim is a beast of a striker and he could play on the RW as well as play as a supporting striker and also be a good back up to Lukaku when Lukaku is misfiring in any game. Zlatan is coming back but I don't see him staying beyond summer. Tim will have a big impact for Germany in the World Cup and I can see his value sky-rocketing and Madrid/ Barca/ PSG/ City going after him.
R Sessegnon/ Rose - Luke Shaw's time is up. He's still very young but hasn't done anything for the team in the last 4 years and should be moved on. I think Ryan or Rose should be bought in immediately to help Martial and Rashford who could be offering a lot more with an good overlapping left wing back.
Pulisic - I would use Mhiki and money as an exchange for Pulisic. Like Werner, Pulisic is a huge United supporter. Griezmann seems to be on the decline. I would rather spend money on someone like Pulisic whose really good for his age. Like Sane for City, Pulisic would offer that sort of impact for us. He's great at tracking back and his attacking ability and creative aspect is terrific.
My first 11 for next season
------------------------------------------ De Gea --------------------------------------
Valencia/ Sergi Roberto ------ Bailly ------- Jones/ Rojo ------ R Sessegnon/ Rose
----------------------------------------- Matic ------------------------------------------
------------------- Milinkovic Savic ------------- Pogba -------------------------------
Pulisic/ Werner ----------------------------------------------------- Rashford/ Martial
------------------------------------ Werner/ Lukaku -----------------------------------
The whole idea is to have a team have power, pace and creativity to combat teams like the top 6. Parking the bus should be an option when we have nothing else to offer but it shouldn't be the tactic that we always use when playing the top teams (even if we are playing away). I've provided a formation which starts of as a 4-1-2-3 but it should be fluid enough to change into 4-2-3-1 (with Pogba or Savic joining the attack in the final third) when we're attacking.
Fellaini - As much as Fellaini offers with his work rate, his tall stature and getting into the box and winning headers. I just don't see him developing our team for the longer run. If things don't seem to be working out, we quickly go to the Fellaini option and start whipping long balls into the box and against the top teams (who tend to be more disciplined), that sort of tactic wouldn't work. My logic is that if we aren't able to break down a team through clever passes, we need to increase the pace in the side. Martial/ Rashford do offer that when they come on but we need a playmaker whose quick enough to take control of the game and control the pace of the game on the field and off the bench. So I would switch him for someone whose tall enough to do what Fellaini does as well as dictate the pace of the game.
Herrera - Herrera was one of my favorite players last season to the extent that I wanted him to be captain this season but he has been atrocious. He's not a great playmaker and can't play inn a midfield 2. He can't be a replacement for Matic. His biggest asset is his pressing game which hasn't been upto par this season. I'm starting to believe that last season could have been a one off. He's a great servant to the club but I think he needs to be moved on as he doesn't offer anything creatively.
Mhikitaryan - This has got to be one of the most difficult choices to have let go just because the guy has a great attitude but unfortunately, apart from the first 5 games, the guy has gone missing. I've never seen someone so lost. He's just not able to take his strengths and actually work wonders for us. Mhiki's biggest asset is his quick passing and pace and directness to run at opposition. We saw glimpses last season but he just hasn't done much this season. He's been played in his favorite No. 10 position in most of the games but just hasn't been able to click with Lukaku. Maybe having Pogba in the team makes him play much better or the tactics that Mourinho has implemented doesn't suit his game. Either way, he just isn't working out. He even got bullied by Hazard in the Chelsea game. Lacks mental strength to produce high quality performances like what David Silva does for City.
Darmian/ Young/ Blind/ Shaw - I think all these alternatives for the full backs have been pretty bad for us. Neither of them offer anything spectacular in attack which is why we've struggled. Yes, we have scored goals but if you compare the number of assists Walker, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Trippier, Ben Davis have completed this season, you can tell that we as a team are weak in the full back region and that's had a huge impact on our team performances. The manner in which we play is that our wingers tuck inside while the full backs overlap and drive to give us width which hasn't been the case. Valencia whose had a decent season so far does not offer much attacking prowess. He maybe quick and able to beat his man but his crossing has been pretty poor.
People who I would like to have join our team
Sergej Milinkovic Savic - This tall beast of a player has been tearing up the Seria A. He's tall and technically very good. What I like about him is that he can fill in for Pogba whenever Pogba is out injured/ suspended or even play with him. He would be a much much better replacement for Fellaini. The guy is good going forward as well and from the rumors doing the rounds, City are also after him. I would easily throw 55m to secure his services.
----------- Matic ------------
-- Savic ----------- Pogba --
Pogba and Savic can both drive forward and attack. The game is lost or won in midfield. With a power pact midfield like Matic/ Savic & Pogba, Pogba could also work his magic in the final third and play as a False No. 10 while Savic covers for him. With a midfield like this, we won't need to "park the bus". I think he's a United type of player and would elevate our midfield in terms of performances.
Periera - Andreas is out on loan but I feel he needs to be playing for United (even if it means playing him in every cup game and giving him the occasional minutes in the PL when we are comfortably winning the game). He's got the talent and potential to dictate the game. He's also a terrific set piece expert. We've not been able to provide any threat in terms of goal from set pieces. These are important when we come across teams that defend deep.
Sergi Roberto - Sergi is a good right back option to have as well as cover for the midfield. He's technically pretty superior and he can actually cross the ball. With two games played practically every week, Valencia can't play in every game and I feel Sergi offers something better. He offers a lot in the attacking third.
Tim Werner - Tim is a beast of a striker and he could play on the RW as well as play as a supporting striker and also be a good back up to Lukaku when Lukaku is misfiring in any game. Zlatan is coming back but I don't see him staying beyond summer. Tim will have a big impact for Germany in the World Cup and I can see his value sky-rocketing and Madrid/ Barca/ PSG/ City going after him.
R Sessegnon/ Rose - Luke Shaw's time is up. He's still very young but hasn't done anything for the team in the last 4 years and should be moved on. I think Ryan or Rose should be bought in immediately to help Martial and Rashford who could be offering a lot more with an good overlapping left wing back.
Pulisic - I would use Mhiki and money as an exchange for Pulisic. Like Werner, Pulisic is a huge United supporter. Griezmann seems to be on the decline. I would rather spend money on someone like Pulisic whose really good for his age. Like Sane for City, Pulisic would offer that sort of impact for us. He's great at tracking back and his attacking ability and creative aspect is terrific.
My first 11 for next season
------------------------------------------ De Gea --------------------------------------
Valencia/ Sergi Roberto ------ Bailly ------- Jones/ Rojo ------ R Sessegnon/ Rose
----------------------------------------- Matic ------------------------------------------
------------------- Milinkovic Savic ------------- Pogba -------------------------------
Pulisic/ Werner ----------------------------------------------------- Rashford/ Martial
------------------------------------ Werner/ Lukaku -----------------------------------
The whole idea is to have a team have power, pace and creativity to combat teams like the top 6. Parking the bus should be an option when we have nothing else to offer but it shouldn't be the tactic that we always use when playing the top teams (even if we are playing away). I've provided a formation which starts of as a 4-1-2-3 but it should be fluid enough to change into 4-2-3-1 (with Pogba or Savic joining the attack in the final third) when we're attacking.
Make the calls Woodie!
You say we don't need another CM but we are an injury to Pogba or Matic away from disaster. After Pogba got injured our season has fallen away. Think about it If Pogba or Matic gets injured our midfield would be overrun and we would once again be forced to employ hoofball. I said at the start of this season that we should have purchased one more quality midfielder and was shot down by many here, however, the passage of time has proven me correct as our entire play has disintegrated because of his absence of Pogba. Imagine how much better our season would have been if we had a quality player like Fabinho stepping in this season when Pogba was injured. When Pogba is back Fabinho could have either stayed as part of a midfield three or gone back and played at RB.
Thumbs up from me
Yeah I wouldn't be arguing.
Agree with everything except Pusilic. I don't get any of the hype around him. If I had to describe him (in terms of ability, style, etc) it would be 'cute'.
I would go with everything you had outlined with the addition of swapping Pusilic for Leon Bailey, who does exite me.
I don't get the certainty that Mourinho is setting up to play a back 4 as his primary alignment going forward. United are 3 deep at CB for a back 4 (Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Lindelof, Tuanzebe,). Add in that Blind has played better at CB than LB in a back 4. On loan TFM has played RCB in a back 3 for both Palace and the Netherlands and has looked out of place at FB for both United and Palace. The current FBs are a pair of 32 year old converted wingers showing their age with a whole lot of average backing them up. There has been little done to develop successors to the current starters at FB. It appears from the current roster that Mourinho's plan is more likely to feature a back 3 than a back 4.
You just mentioned Bailey after talking down Pulisic.
3-5-2 seems to be overly done. We don't have the personnel to consider that formation. The reason being that Smalling in a back three is shaky. I'm assuming Jones and Bailly being the other 2. We played that formation against Chelsea and we barely touched the ball. Lukaku didn't even have any service primarily because the width was supposed to be provided by full backs which we have none at the moment (atleast that we can rely on). With a back 4, we could have an additional midfielder who could play in the No. 10 (playmaking) role. Unfortunately, Mhiki has been really poor to have that work for us.
Right going to make this short and sweet with only players in because I don't think it's fair to say who should go right now. I think it needs to be addressed in January who may or may not go next summer.
Anyway right now I believe we need 3 players, not 6-7 some people would make.
LB - Tierney(Celtic) Honestly If this kid was French, England, Italian etc he'd be snapped up in seconds but since he's Scottish and plays in a shite league but I'm taking away his performances for Celtic in Europe for the past two seasons and how he has played for Scotland in the last campaign and I think this kid has everything in his locker to become what we all thought Shaw would be. Pace, positioning sense, vision, fantastic driving runs, attitude is spot on which is something Mourinho likes. If he joins the likes of Spurs next summer, I won't even try and go on this forum with people complaining why we weren't in for him. To be he's the best up and coming left back in world football.
RB - Meunier (PSG) To be honest, as much as I respect Valencia and he's been a great servant for the club but I'm constantly sick and tired of his attacking qualities. His crossing is still dreadful and we need to look at upgrading. The first time I watched Meunier, I wasn't impressed as it was during the Euros but he's improved immensely at PSG and he's a dedicated Utd fan, I don't think we'll find it hard to convince him but of course PSG won't want to get rid of him since Alves is on the way out.
AM - Dybala(Most likely Griezmann or Ozil though) - Now I'm not saying right now it's possible to sign Dybala and with his preferred destination most likely Spain but he's a player who could transform us. Yes it's highly unlikely but look, we are one of the biggest clubs in the world alongside Barcelona and Madrid, so why not act like a big club and make him one of the top earners in the world. I'd rather give an extra 100k to Dybala then to Lingard. We need to sign the best and he is one of the best and is relatively still a young man, but I would think Ozil or Griezmann will be more likely but again i think we just need to sign the next superstar in football again like we did with Pogba
Anyway right now I believe we need 3 players, not 6-7 some people would make.
LB - Tierney(Celtic) Honestly If this kid was French, England, Italian etc he'd be snapped up in seconds but since he's Scottish and plays in a shite league but I'm taking away his performances for Celtic in Europe for the past two seasons and how he has played for Scotland in the last campaign and I think this kid has everything in his locker to become what we all thought Shaw would be. Pace, positioning sense, vision, fantastic driving runs, attitude is spot on which is something Mourinho likes. If he joins the likes of Spurs next summer, I won't even try and go on this forum with people complaining why we weren't in for him. To be he's the best up and coming left back in world football.
RB - Meunier (PSG) To be honest, as much as I respect Valencia and he's been a great servant for the club but I'm constantly sick and tired of his attacking qualities. His crossing is still dreadful and we need to look at upgrading. The first time I watched Meunier, I wasn't impressed as it was during the Euros but he's improved immensely at PSG and he's a dedicated Utd fan, I don't think we'll find it hard to convince him but of course PSG won't want to get rid of him since Alves is on the way out.
AM - Dybala(Most likely Griezmann or Ozil though) - Now I'm not saying right now it's possible to sign Dybala and with his preferred destination most likely Spain but he's a player who could transform us. Yes it's highly unlikely but look, we are one of the biggest clubs in the world alongside Barcelona and Madrid, so why not act like a big club and make him one of the top earners in the world. I'd rather give an extra 100k to Dybala then to Lingard. We need to sign the best and he is one of the best and is relatively still a young man, but I would think Ozil or Griezmann will be more likely but again i think we just need to sign the next superstar in football again like we did with Pogba
Pogba's absence hasn't caused our season to collapse. His absence has been equated to our season collapsing incorrectly. We had several great results after he got injured there was a thread on here asking whether we miss him at all.
Since then we've had two of the trickiest games of the season and one awful performance against Huddersfield and suddenly Pogba is the saviour.
If Matic is injured our player of the season would step in and perform perfectly adequately in that role. In most instances with Pogba injured likewise - see Spurs, Everyone, So'ton, Palace as well as any CL game since August for reference.
If we had Fabinho in the squad then someone like Herrera would have to leave to make room. Then you'd be posting in this thread about how we need another midfielder because Fabinho isn't as good as Pogba which costs us points.
Of course our third best midfielder isn't as good as the most expensive ever midfielder. However no team has that kind of cover and thinking someone like Fabinho would be the difference is in my view naive.
No matter what team you are - if you lose a key player for two of the hardest fixtures of the season the small margins can go against you (they can even with your strongest team). However the difference between one good third choice and another good third choice midfielder isn't bridging that gap.
Spot on
I fancy Thomas Lemar and a left back as my top two target.
Valencia's replacement will be nice as well. He's getting too old.
Valencia's replacement will be nice as well. He's getting too old.
So Fabinho is going to be happy sitting on the bench just in case Pogba gets injured. I very much doubt it. You always need players who are happy to play bit part roles. Fabinho would not be one of them, especially for what he would cost.
1. we need two new fullbacks firstly and Valencia/Blind/Darmian can offer ample backup with Shaw leaving
2. we need another talented midfield player - a playmaker to replace Carrick - I think Herrera should be here long term and put his poor form down to just that - form
3. creativity - we simply aren't getting enough out of our attacking players. Currently we have a number of players who aren't doing enough consistently - these include Mata, Mhiki, Young, Lingard and Fellaini....
I think Lingard is safe for his workrate, Fellaini safe for his plan B option but the others can go.
so overall
out: Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Mhiki, Young
in: LB (Sandro? Rose?), RB (?), CM (Ideally a playmaker but maybe b2b player), Griezemann as SS/#10 and an out and out winger. Promote Pereria as a playmaker perhaps and I'd want to see more of Tuanzebe. Gomes should be in and around the squad too next season.
2. we need another talented midfield player - a playmaker to replace Carrick - I think Herrera should be here long term and put his poor form down to just that - form
3. creativity - we simply aren't getting enough out of our attacking players. Currently we have a number of players who aren't doing enough consistently - these include Mata, Mhiki, Young, Lingard and Fellaini....
I think Lingard is safe for his workrate, Fellaini safe for his plan B option but the others can go.
so overall
out: Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Mhiki, Young
in: LB (Sandro? Rose?), RB (?), CM (Ideally a playmaker but maybe b2b player), Griezemann as SS/#10 and an out and out winger. Promote Pereria as a playmaker perhaps and I'd want to see more of Tuanzebe. Gomes should be in and around the squad too next season.
Fabinho would not be sitting on the bench he would either be part of a first choice midfield three or first choice right-back, The great thing about having someone as versatile as him in the squad is that he can play both right-back and midfield to a high standard. Fabinho would be a first choice player with a variety of roles depending on our needs at the time. The problem with United is we do not only have holes in the squad but we also have useless bench players. You are implying that we need to have low-quality bench players that are happy to be bit players but that is not the case at rivals such as Man City who have players like Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Toure, Gundogan on their bench whereas we have Lingard and Fellaini.
We need to clear out the deadwood from the squad. There are simply too many bang average players at the club many of whom are earning 100k or more per week. If a player is not good enough they should be moved on and replaced by better players like what Pep has done at Man City. We need better players across the board not just better starters but also better bench players. Players like Lingard do not belong at Manchester United either as a starter or bench player, his level is Swansea or Stoke. Lingard is just the tip of the iceberg, we have a huge bloated squad all on huge wages and we desperately need to cull at least 7 or 8 players and replace them with quality players befitting of a club of United's statue.
That team still not strong enough.
Thoughts on Emre Can?
I don't see it happening but he's available next summer on a free. Good box to box player with potential to improve.
I don't see it happening but he's available next summer on a free. Good box to box player with potential to improve.
The point wasn't about Fabinho specifically. It's about the.mentality of dumping players after a few poor performances in favour of the next flavour of the month. If Fabinho were signed he'd either displace Herrera (last year's PotS) as third choice or one of Mourinho's preferred options in Fellaini. That's before even talking about promising younger players.
Is Fabinho going to be a real upgrade on Herrera for the £40m he'd cost? Is he going to be a real upgrade on Valencia? I can't see it. In my view we have enough decent versatile options. What we need are players who're going to make a real difference either in terms of goal scoring or creative contributions.
I think we should be doing better. For example Saul is somebody, who could be great next to Pogba in a 4-3-3. But I think Mourinho is going to stick with 4-2-3-1. Meaning other positions/players could be favoured by him.
I see a lot of people saying we need another midfielder - is Pogba and Matic not a good enough pairing? Or do you mean as cover for those two?
With Pogba being out we've completely lacked anyone with the ability to play the ball forward from deep. We need another option, Herrera is ok as back up to Matic but not Pogba.
OK, so back up. Agreed, but that's always awkward as how much do you really want to spend on a back up player. The ideal option would be a young player - would bringing Pereira back not be a better option?
Against good teams, we need to play three midfielders. We can't play 4-3-3 without a third midfielder. Also we could do with a playmaker who can dictate and control the game like De Bruyne at City. We could either have the creativity come from the CM or AM. It would be good to have another quality CM and AM so we have some tactical flexibility and can switch up our formation and tactics against different opponents and also have cover for injuries. If we got Jorginho as the CM playmaker and either Savic or Fekir as the AM then we would have plenty of creative options and injury cover. Herrera, Mata and Miki could be sold to compensate for the two additions.
City have Bernardo Silva as back up to KDB and David Silva.
He's worth what they spent. It's disappointing how much we drop off without Pogba.
We play too many games in a season to be reliant on one player.
Agreed. Going one step further however we need to properly diagnosis the problem in Pogba's absence. I'd say with any degree of real scrutiny most people would see that we've done very well without Pogba:
W 3 - 0 v Basel
W 4 - 0 v Everton
W 4 - 1 v Burton
W 0 - 1 v So'ton
W 1 - 4 v CSKA
W 4 - 0 v Crystal Palace
D 0 - 0 v Liverpool (A)
W 0 - 1 v Benfica
L 2 - 1 v Huddersfield
W 0 - 2 v Swansea
W 1 - 0 v Tottenham
L 1 - 0 v Chelsea (A)
To me that would be a good run with your first choice XI available every game. Sporadically without our best defender (Bailly) and midfielder (Pogba) as well as injuries to Rojo, Fellaini, Carrick & Jones... I'd say it's a bloody great return.
People who talk about this silver bullet player who will warm the bench just waiting for the 5-7 games per season that our £90m midfielder is injured, to come in without match fitness and contribute similarly to him are in my view living in la-la land. These are the same people who say "it's a squad game so he'd get plenty of fixtures", but then turn on a player like Herrera who is proving to be a great and loyal squad player who might have the occasional period of poor form, possibly due to said lack of match sharpness.
You hear names like Fabinho. Fantastic. We spend £40m on a player who in the bulk of our games when Jose wants to play 4-2-3-1 is either warming the bench as Valencia's competition at right back or doing likewise to Matic in the holding midfield roll.
Let's please look at our squad and not look at "versatile" options that would improve our bench, lets look at players who'd slot into our strongest XI and make it stronger. Young can be hugely improved upon, likewise Mkhitaryan. A late 8 or early 9 figure budget should be surely focused on getting the best possible for those two positions, rather than looking for comprimises in 4-5 positions.
That brings me into a succinct question in truth... if we have a fair amount to spend next Summer... say £130m; would people still be insistant on five £25m players or would they like me realise two great ones would be preferable. Given naturally that we don't have unlimited finances.
At least a winger, left back, right back
Danny Rose as a left back. He hasn't been playing for a while now, surely his price should be dropped.
Thomas Lemar as my left winger.
And potential a new right back Fabinho, I can't think anyone so might should go for this guy who used to play as a right back.
442:
DDG
Fabinho CB CB Rose
Pereira (Mata/Mkhy) Matic Pogba Lemar
Rashford (Martial) Lukaku
352:
DDG
CB CB CB
Fabinho Matic Lemar Pogba Rose
Rashford (Martial) Lukaku
Danny Rose as a left back. He hasn't been playing for a while now, surely his price should be dropped.
Thomas Lemar as my left winger.
And potential a new right back Fabinho, I can't think anyone so might should go for this guy who used to play as a right back.
442:
DDG
Fabinho CB CB Rose
Pereira (Mata/Mkhy) Matic Pogba Lemar
Rashford (Martial) Lukaku
352:
DDG
CB CB CB
Fabinho Matic Lemar Pogba Rose
Rashford (Martial) Lukaku
Technical winger/no.10. Bernardo Silva might still become available with such limited game time at City.
Him or Fekir would be very good options.
Him or Fekir would be very good options.
I think we could end up going for:
LB - Rose
CM - Soler
RW - Pulisic perhaps?
10 - Ozil (he’s free in the summer, and if we’ve gone off Griezmann, it makes sense)
LB - Rose
CM - Soler
RW - Pulisic perhaps?
10 - Ozil (he’s free in the summer, and if we’ve gone off Griezmann, it makes sense)
I'd recall Periera and give him a shot as the midfield three option for now rotated with Fellaini. If Fellaini does leave then bring in another midfielder that provides some attacking intent.
We don't need more number 10s until we offload our current selection. Pogba is capable of being that goal scoring midfielder anyway
We don't need more number 10s until we offload our current selection. Pogba is capable of being that goal scoring midfielder anyway
I mean... I've seen lots of arguments for and against Herrera but that is the most utterly out of sync with reality.
What next? Messi doesn't score enough goals? David Silva doesn't get enough assists?
I mean... I've seen lots of arguments for and against Herrera but that is the most utterly out of sync with reality.
What next? Messi doesn't score enough goals? David Silva doesn't get enough assists?
Interesting.
Do you know from which site that tool lives?
I wouldn't mind having a play with it.
I'm stunned that Herrera makes that many interceptions.
He doesn't seem to do a whole lot for us but maybe he plays his role so well that he doesn't need to do anything flashy.
We'd be stupid to give up Pereira for Soler especially at that price Soler is rated.
Squawka, their player comparison matrix.
Nope, and you go on to contradict yourself. We either are or we are not.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Sadly, I have to agree.
Nope.
Again, reluctantly, I think you are right in this case.
I would agree with maybe a winger, ok.
Thats two out, one in.
I honestly don't know know enough about Gomes, but Pereira needs to repair his relationship with the manager and get his shoulder to the wheel. Any truth in the rumour it hasnt gone that great on loan?
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To know what we still need, I think we need to know if and how Lukaku, Rashford, and Martial will start and play as a front three because they are clearly United's three best goal scoring threats. Outside of those three, Pogba, Matic, Bailly, and DDG are clear first teamers who should start all PL and meaningful CL matches.
With all the central defenders in the squad and on loan and no successors to our 32 year old fullbacks in sight, it looks like a back three is the plan going forward. I believe Martial is best suited for a central playmaking role in a front three of Lukaku, Rashford and Martial because he is the best of the three with the ball at his feet.
A 3-4-1-2 lineup with: Lukaku RCF, Rashford LCF, Martial #10; Goretzka RM (Schalka free transfer), Matic CDM, Pogba AM, Bailey LM (Bayer 40m pounds); Fosu-Mensah RCB, Bailly CB, Rojo LCB; DDG; would be a formidable first team without spending galactico fees IMO.
With all the central defenders in the squad and on loan and no successors to our 32 year old fullbacks in sight, it looks like a back three is the plan going forward. I believe Martial is best suited for a central playmaking role in a front three of Lukaku, Rashford and Martial because he is the best of the three with the ball at his feet.
A 3-4-1-2 lineup with: Lukaku RCF, Rashford LCF, Martial #10; Goretzka RM (Schalka free transfer), Matic CDM, Pogba AM, Bailey LM (Bayer 40m pounds); Fosu-Mensah RCB, Bailly CB, Rojo LCB; DDG; would be a formidable first team without spending galactico fees IMO.
Need a left back, right winger, pereira back or a Pogba back up and a number ten(lazio mid fits the bill) .
Would sell darmian, one of mata/mikhi,Carrick.
Would sell darmian, one of mata/mikhi,Carrick.