Which position should Ole prioritise in the summer?

Sign Sancho.

Pogba ditches Raiola and makes a public apology to United fans, signs a new contract & says he is going to retire here.

Then with the money left / money from sales of Smalling, Lingard etc.. sign a Striker to compete with Martial.

Id expect a title challenge with that.
 
We have 6 clean sheets in 7. Unless a great defender is available at a great price don't chase.

Splash cash on Sancho and see if pogba will sign a new contract - if he doesn't then maybe we can reinvest in a left back.

Feels like we ultimately need a striker, if Werner is available it would be good business.

We have no real assets to sell which is a shame, maybe if bailly finishes the season well or if barce still want lindelof...
 
Crashoutcassius said:
We have 6 clean sheets in 7. Unless a great defender is available at a great price don't chase.

Splash cash on Sancho and see if pogba will sign a new contract - if he doesn't then maybe we can reinvest in a left back.

Feels like we ultimately need a striker, if Werner is available it would be good business.

We have no real assets to sell which is a shame, maybe if bailly finishes the season well or if barce still want lindelof...
Click to expand...
De Gea? And promote Henderson to compete against Romero while he becomes better? Just an idea, and definitely not necessarily the right answer.
 
Gasolin said:
This is a mistake for me. Ole did fantastic by trying to solve that creativity issue and asking the full backs to do that job also, hence our 3/4/3 that involved the wing backs.
But having those wings backs or full backs + a creative midfielder would make our team even more superior. So it is the right call for me.
Click to expand...

I still think the right call is to distribute the creativity to more than one position, thus the team will be less predictable and less burden in that one player.
 
RedBanker said:
Thread title suggests you KNOW that Solskjaer will be in charge next season. If you do then fair fecks. Otherwise maybe replace Ole with Man Utd/ we.
Click to expand...
Are you “Ole out” by any chance? Until the board says otherwise he’s the manager FFS.

To the question at hand, RW or CF. I would have said RW no doubt. Thing is, Bruno has made such a huge difference to us, he’s already making the rest of the team play better. His passing to the guys we already have, with the quality and timing he has, will get the likes of AWB contributing more. A common problem is not having a striker in the right place, attacking the near post and all that. Martial could do that but doesn’t seem to want to. We don’t score enough like Iggy’s goal on Thursday. An out and out striker may be a higher priority than RW.
 
Gasolin said:
De Gea? And promote Henderson to compete against Romero while he becomes better? Just an idea, and definitely not necessarily the right answer.
Click to expand...
Think you could be right on this especially as I've also metioned this especially as Chelsea are supposedly after Henderson and other if papers are to believed. If he keeps playimg well there is a chance that more big clubs are going to be after him. How long is he going to want to stay on loan for when he knows that De Gea is definitely going to be no 1?
 
Build the team from the back.
Ole needs to find the right partner for Maguire. Lindelof isn't it. They are too similar to play with each other.
I think the lack of security at the back is affecting the whole team, especially when we're drawing or losing. They can't push forward and take more risk because they can't trust the central defensive pairing
 
reelworld said:
Build the team from the back.
Ole needs to find the right partner for Maguire. Lindelof isn't it. They are too similar to play with each other.
I think the lack of security at the back is affecting the whole team, especially when we're drawing or losing. They can't push forward and take more risk because they can't trust the central defensive pairing
Click to expand...

:lol: I remember this massive myth getting spouted a lot in past summers. No the thing hindering us creating anything was lack of creativity, surprisingly enough!

I'll be baffled if we go big for yet another defender, and I think Lindelof isn't good enough at all, but we clearly have more pressing issues.
 
Judas said:
:lol: I remember this massive myth getting spouted a lot in past summers. No the thing hindering us creating anything was lack of creativity, surprisingly enough!

I'll be baffled if we go big for yet another defender, and I think Lindelof isn't good enough at all, but we clearly have more pressing issues.
Click to expand...
Bruno already solved half of that problem. But I'm not imagining that our central defensive partnership is very shaky. Especially when the other side is having a real go.

Not saying that it should be an expensive one. But I think a centreback with a Vidic profile will do wonders with this team
 
reelworld said:
Bruno already solved half of that problem. But I'm not imagining that our central defensive partnership is very shaky. Especially when the other side is having a real go.

Not saying that it should be an expensive one. But I think a centreback with a Vidic profile will do wonders with this team
Click to expand...

Our defensive performances have actually been very good recently and with Lindelof, Bailly and Tuanzebe I’d be reluctant to splash out another load on a centre back that may or may not improve us!

We need a world class striker desperately and another attacking mid to stop all the responsibility falling on Bruno
 
The priority has to be a right-winger / inside forward. I am thinking along the lines of Son at Spurs. Can play all across the front, has pace and industry, can beat a man one v one, and can create something out of nothing.

Basically we need a miracle. We need Ronaldo the sequel.
 
A DM should be priority but I get the feeling we wouldn't sign one and just renew Matic's contract instead. I think our targets are Grealish Sancho and a striker and that's it
 
I would go for buendia/grealish for the right wing spot if we can't get Sancho. We have one of two playmakers we need. How ole intends to use Rashford when he returns determines the other position signed in attack. If Rashford is used as a wide forward then we need a striker, if he plays rashford as a striker, then we can sign both buendia and grealish. We also need a defensive midfielder to replace pogba's presence and passing in midfield. As neither Fred nor Mctominay are brilliant at providing support to the defence in terms of bringing the ball out, we need a player of the caliber that also has the defensive awareness to help us protect the defence and the composed passing ability to help us control games.
 
Thiagoal said:
Our defensive performances have actually been very good recently and with Lindelof, Bailly and Tuanzebe I’d be reluctant to splash out another load on a centre back that may or may not improve us!

We need a world class striker desperately and another attacking mid to stop all the responsibility falling on Bruno
Click to expand...

I agree, unless we can get a cheap signing. Plus if all three defenders prove poor ending the season, smalling can return. I really want to see Bailly or Tuanzebe establish themselves as partners. Lindelof on the bench is fine.
 
reelworld said:
Build the team from the back.
Ole needs to find the right partner for Maguire. Lindelof isn't it. They are too similar to play with each other.
I think the lack of security at the back is affecting the whole team, especially when we're drawing or losing. They can't push forward and take more risk because they can't trust the central defensive pairing
Click to expand...

Personally I think Baillie could be the one to sit alongside Maguire, provided he stays fit. Has all the attributes. I always feel more confident when Baillie is in the team, despite his occasional brain fades, which every player is capable of. Never feel comfortable with Lindelof , although he is a decent player, something about his play makes me nervous. Shaw is starting to show the form that his potential has always hinted at, Williams is an able deputy for the LB spot. I hope that Dalot improves his defensive qualities. AWB needs to improve his attacking skills (there are good signs that he is doing that, but still things to work on). Laird, Tuanzebe and Mengi coming through, so I think the back line is pretty solid for now. RW is the most obvious position to fill, a good solid striker, a creative attack minded midfielder (Gomes, Grealish, Madison?), a defence minded midfielder (Levitt, Partey?).
 
Last edited:
bosnian_red said:
A right winger by a mile, specifically Sancho. Would be a game changer for us. Also one injury to our main 2 attackers and we wouldnt be fecked as we'd still have 2 top dynamic players, before putting in a youngster like Greenwood or James.

2nd I'd have additional creativity in midfield (with Pogba leaving), someone who will challenge Fred and Bruno and rotate both so we dont overplay either or so we arent fecked if we get an injury. Grealish in my opinion is perfect for that.

All we need this summer IMO. Gives us a quality starting 11 and quality back up. Assuming Smalling stays, we can do:

De Gea, Romero
Wan Bissaka, Dalot
Maguire, Smalling, Lindelof, Bailly, Tuanzebe
Shaw, Williams
Bruno, Grealish, Fred, McTominay, Matic
Martial, Rashford, Sancho, Greenwood, James

Would be very confident going into a season with a starting 11 and squad like that.
Click to expand...

That squad would be what id personally target as the next transition stage, Sancho and Grealish would bring a huge amount in creativity and goal threat.

If we could further that in the same window id probably be looking at prioritising upgrades on the following players, top being the priority
Matic
Shaw
Lindelof as i believe Smalling will be released
 
RW. Would love it more if it's a Salah or Mane purchase type. Not an established player but proving himself at United.
 
jamesjimmybyrondean said:
A DM should be priority but I get the feeling we wouldn't sign one and just renew Matic's contract instead. I think our targets are Grealish Sancho and a striker and that's it
Click to expand...

I agree and I think that would be a great summer.

I can see the club keeping Matic around until Garner is ready.

Attacking quality is clearly where this team is lacking. The team lacked creativity under Jose, got rid of Lukaku and Sanchez (their marquee attackers) and replaced them with a winger from Swansea and a striker on loan from the Chinese league.

I think the defensive midfielder can wait.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
Right Winger

Martial
Rashford Bruno Winger
Fred Pogba
Shaw Maguire Bailly Wan-Bissaka
De Gea​
Click to expand...

I like this! Hopefully Pogba stays and is pepared to knuckle down. I'll never question Ole again if we sign Sancho!
That leaves Scott and Matic as midfield squad players which I would be happy with for next season.

Only problem then if Bruno gets injured. If we got rid of Jesse, Andreas and Mata that would show huge intentions this Summer and sign Grealish. Cover for Bruno, Martial, Sancho and Rashford in reality. I think he would be a fantastic signing and is ultra versatile.

We need that cover for 10 in a bad way. I know Pogba can play there but think he is better deeper.

If Pogba does leave we need another CM along with Grealish and Sancho.
 
POF said:
I agree and I think that would be a great summer.

I can see the club keeping Matic around until Garner is ready.

Attacking quality is clearly where this team is lacking. The team lacked creativity under Jose, got rid of Lukaku and Sanchez (their marquee attackers) and replaced them with a winger from Swansea and a striker on loan from the Chinese league.

I think the defensive midfielder can wait.
Click to expand...
Sanchez did absolutely nothing for us so you cant count him. If and its a big if we get Sancho and Pogba stays or we replace with Grealish then Sancho/Fernandes/Martial/Rashford/Pogba or Grealish looks like it has enough goals with Greenwood hopefully kicking on. Getting all those players in a team without a pure DM is then the main problem because there is no point having a sht load of attackers without balance. Sure we could get Pogba and Fernandes to drop deeper but then all you are doing is restricting their natural game. We have already been over and over this with Pogba. It kind of works with him in a 2 man midfield but not really. The only time its worked is with Kante next to him. And Fred/McTominay are no Kantes no matter how much everyone wants them to be. Its just not their game.
So you end up with your whole midfield not playing to their strengths. We have been doing this for years and it just doesn’t work.
 
UpWithRivers said:
Sanchez did absolutely nothing for us so you cant count him. If and its a big if we get Sancho and Pogba stays or we replace with Grealish then Sancho/Fernandes/Martial/Rashford/Pogba or Grealish looks like it has enough goals with Greenwood hopefully kicking on. Getting all those players in a team without a pure DM is then the main problem because there is no point having a sht load of attackers without balance. Sure we could get Pogba and Fernandes to drop deeper but then all you are doing is restricting their natural game. We have already been over and over this with Pogba. It kind of works with him in a 2 man midfield but not really. The only time its worked is with Kante next to him. And Fred/McTominay are no Kantes no matter how much everyone wants them to be. Its just not their game.
So you end up with your whole midfield not playing to their strengths. We have been doing this for years and it just doesn’t work.
Click to expand...

Pogba in a 2 with Bruno in front is plenty defensive enough. Pogba and McTominay as a 2 was well balanced at the start of this season and worked really well until the team's only striker got injured in the 3rd game of the season and they were playing a front 3 of Pereira, James and Rashford. That is what made the team so unbalanced.

Saying that, I'm not even taking Pogba into consideration. The chances of him being at United at the start of next season are extremely slim in my opinion.

You don't need a "defensive midfielder". You just need good balance and styles that complement each other. For example McTominay/Pogba is a much better combination than Pogba/Matic. Matic fits the description of a "defensive midfielder" more than McTominay but his lack of mobility is a huge issue next to Pogba where McTominay's energy is crucial. Bruno as a 10 as opposed to an Ozil also provides much more defensive balance.

I would love to get a central midfield player also. But attacking players are far more crucial to this United team. As for "you can't count Sanchez". His poor performances at United make it even more important that the club replaces him rather than not.
 
We need to bolster our front 3

If pogba goes we need a replacement

We need a new attacking LB too in my view, since rashford doesn't offer much width
 
Said it many times but if we only get Sancho and keep Pogba I’ll be happy. I’d ideally want Grealish and another Striker too, especially if Paul leaves.
 
Adamsk7 said:
Said it many times but if we only get Sancho and keep Pogba I’ll be happy. I’d ideally want Grealish and another Striker too, especially if Paul leaves.
Click to expand...
Yeah Grealish I think makes sense only if Pogba leaves for the quality in depth and competition for places.
Striker can be Ighalo tbh. Why not? Only need a backup and Ighalo is doing exactly that. Sancho has to be the priority, but would be very happy with that.
 
Its clear we need to enhance the quality across the squad as a whole, but in terms of priority its a difficult one.

I've watched majority of games this year and while injuries havent helped the area i think we are weakest is midfield.

This summer, i think the whole midfield needs to be 1st course of action in terms of incomings, outgoings in both the defensive and attacking areas.

So currently we have:
Fred/Matic/McTom/Pogba/Fernandes/Lingard/Periera/Mata/Gomes

My vision:
Matic extends contract by 1year
Gomes leaves (contract)
Lingard is sold
Pogba is sold
Periera stays as rotation
Mata stays as rotation
Fred Stays
McTom Stays
Fernandes stays

So in terms as what we have currently, thats leaves us with 6. Given Mata is used less frequently and is more often used from wide, you could say we have 5.

We need signings, at least 2.

Say we signed, a Kelvin Phillips and a Grealish, that would be good enough for me.

We'd have McTom/Fred/Phillips/Grealish for deep and Fernandes/Grealish/Mata/Periera for further up the pitch.

For the summer as a whole, as well as the above i hope we focus on more outgoings:
Smalling/Sanchez/Jones

I hope we finally sign an attacking player who can go off the right hand side.

The disaster scenario is being lumped with no buyers for Sanchez, Lingard and Pogba for me. With the kind of working together mentality Ole has finally got us adhering too, i can only see these 3 characters being a negative moving forward. They need to go and be replaced with hungrier players who want to be here and work for the team as well as improving themselves.

I;d be happy with a summer of:
DM
AM
RW
ST
 
Just get Sancho, Grealish, Zakaria, and keep Pogba and we'd get 85+ goals a season

Attack:Rashford+Martial+Sancho=50 goals
Midfield: Pogba Bruno Zakaria=15 goals
Defense: Shaw, Mags, Lindlof, Shaw=5 goals
Key Subs: Grealish,James, Greenwood, Ighalo, Fred=15
 
Need a RW as a priority since we have no one top class that can play that position even when everyone's fit.

Other then that maybe a LB since Shaw gets injured so much, and a young backup striker that can push for the top spot.

Don't think we really need a DM or an AM, between Mctominay and Fred we have two midfielders that cover a lot of defensive ground, and between Pogba and Bruno we have two AM's. If we sell Pogba then perhaps we need a AM.

Probably the first time in a good while we're we only need strengthening in one position to have an on-paper strong first XI in every position. That said, I would be down for sining Saint-Maxim from Newcastle as an attacking option (he plays in Rashford's position), I think he'll be class. But only as a rotation option as I'd much rather we got a top RW instead.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
Right Winger

Martial
Rashford Bruno Winger
Fred Pogba
Shaw Maguire Bailly Wan-Bissaka
De Gea​
Click to expand...

that’s a super team with sancho or chiesa in it. Really good.
We need a striker but I personally would go for a prospect. Who’s the next big thing? They will All be rotating anyway.

Bellingham looks like he might sign so I reckon either him or Hannibal will get some games next year. If pogba stays I reckon that’s the midfield. Getting someone like Grealish would be great but we genuinely only need him if pogba goes. I’m all for having too many good players though.
 
marktan said:
Don't think we really need a DM or an AM, between Mctominay and Fred we have two midfielders that cover a lot of defensive ground, and between Pogba and Bruno we have two AM's. If we sell Pogba then perhaps we need a AM.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think so as well, we never play with a specialist DM and probably won't plan to. Extending Matic's contract and his resurgence in form means we have enough options there for the moment. I think Ole really rates his style which is similar to Carrick.
 
It's interesting as players are stepping up, making Summer somewhat awkward.

Matic and Mata for sure have stepped their games up of late. Two people I'd have happily let go.
Still feel RW is the biggest priority.
A creative CM is also a must. Takes pressure of Bruno and Pogba has to go
Considering we don't have a dedicated DM, I feel we need one, but I think we'll squeeze another year out of Matic now, but if the likes of Ndidi, Partey or Zakaria become available, we shouldn't let it pass us.
Even though we've done better defensively, I'd love a top partner for Maguire.
Striker is also a must. Much needed competition for Martial, as well as to take the strain off Martial.

Lastly, if this Bellingham is as good as people are saying, I'd be excited for the transfer.
Rashford coming back into this side will be like a new signing.

Zakaria
Fred - Bruno
Sancho - Martial - Rashford
​
I'd love to see that reek havoc

Matic
McTom - Grealish
Greenwood - Striker - James
​
As rotation, back up etc... Obviously a fluid 4231 / 433
 
You must log in or register to reply here.