Which striker in the summer?

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Drifter said:
Betfair as us as favourite to sign Benteke.
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:lol:

I don't see it. May as well stick Fella up front if LvG is looking for a big man up top. We need someone who has the pace to run behind (which we sorely lacked last season) AND the ability to help with build up. Benteke ain't that guy, not at the top level
 
No surprise Real Madrid and Benzema have both been quoted saying he is not going anywhere. Lacazette signed for PSG, Dybala has signed for Juventus, where exactly does that leave United and who out there is good enough?

I'm not keen on Benteke, he's just a slightly more forward playing Fellaini imho. Big, strong target man who can score goals, but for me he is more like a Drogba type player. I admit his style may well fit LvG's thinking, but I just wouldn't be able to get excited about his signing as I don't think he is that good yet. Jackson Martinez is another one who is being mentioned but again not for me. A good player, very skilful and scores goals, but does he score enough? And would he be able to make the jump to the Premier League? Again, I'm not sure.

Carlos Bacca is another one being linked and he has had a great season at Seville but overall, I haven't been overly impressed when I have seen him play. After United's lack of goals last season we definitely need to ensure we get the right player(s) but it's looking like the list of targets in that position is shrinking on a daily basis.
 
langster said:
No surprise Real Madrid and Benzema have both been quoted saying he is not going anywhere. Lacazette signed for PSG, Dybala has signed for Juventus, where exactly does that leave United and who out there is good enough?

I'm not keen on Benteke, he's just a slightly more forward playing Fellaini imho. Big, strong target man who can score goals, but for me he is more like a Drogba type player. I admit his style may well fit LvG's thinking, but I just wouldn't be able to get excited about his signing as I don't think he is that good yet. Jackson Martinez is another one who is being mentioned but again not for me. A good player, very skilful and scores goals, but does he score enough? And would he be able to make the jump to the Premier League? Again, I'm not sure.

Carlos Bacca is another one being linked and he has had a great season at Seville but overall, I haven't been overly impressed when I have seen him play. After United's lack of goals last season we definitely need to ensure we get the right player(s) but it's looking like the list of targets in that position is shrinking on a daily basis.
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Running out of genuine quality options that are a step up from Rooney. I wouldn't mind Kane tbh. Or what about Fekir? Heard a lot of good things about him - is he a natural striker though?
 
If no one is available, we shouldn't buy anyone. Rooney will score +20 goals, if we keep him upfront.
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Running out of genuine quality options that are a step up from Rooney. I wouldn't mind Kane tbh. Or what about Fekir? Heard a lot of good things about him - is he a natural striker though?
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Running out of options that are a step up from Rooney AND RvP which is a massive worry in my opinion. Kane has promise and had a great season but you just know it would be a really drawn out transfer, probably only to be completed at 10:59pm on transfer deadline day and at an absolutely monstrous fee. Personally, I would like to see how he does this year, and in Europe before United sign him.

I haven't seen much of Fekir so can't really comment on him.
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Running out of genuine quality options that are a step up from Rooney. I wouldn't mind Kane tbh. Or what about Fekir? Heard a lot of good things about him - is he a natural striker though?
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Fekir isn't a striker.
 
When people mention formations and where to put rooney, are you saying what you want to happen or what you think should or will happen?

I'm just confused because people are talking about a 4-2-3-1 formation with rooney or a n other being in a 'number 10' role.

There are 3 certainties* for next year:

  1. Rooney will play every game when fit.
  2. Rooney will play as striker
  3. We will play 4-3-3. With one striker.
*actually, itbis possible number 2 isnt a certainty, but it will be lvg's preference, he'll only put rooney in midfield if desperate, i think that ship has sailed for rooney in mid.

Anyway, so we are not going to get a first choice striker. Rooney will be the first choice striker. With RVP and hernandez going, and it looks like wilson on loan, we will certainly need another striker, but it will be someone who replaces rooney when hes injured or rotated for the smaller games.

That isnt gong to be Benzma. Unfortunately, it sounds perfect for Benteke.

It also sounds perfect for Kane but that will never happen.
 
Dracula said:
When people mention formations and where to put rooney, are you saying what you want to happen or what you think should or will happen?

I'm just confused because people are talking about a 4-2-3-1 formation with rooney or a n other being in a 'number 10' role.

There are 3 certainties* for next year:

  1. Rooney will play every game when fit.
  2. Rooney will play as striker
  3. We will play 4-3-3. With one striker.
*actually, itbis possible number 2 isnt a certainty, but it will be lvg's preference, he'll only put rooney in midfield if desperate, i think that ship has sailed for rooney in mid.

Anyway, so we are not going to get a first choice striker. Rooney will be the first choice striker. With RVP and hernandez going, and it looks like wilson on loan, we will certainly need another striker, but it will be someone who replaces rooney when hes injured or rotated for the smaller games.

That isnt gong to be Benzma. Unfortunately, it sounds perfect for Benteke.

It also sounds perfect for Kane but that will never happen.
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The 4-3-3 isn't a certainty.
 
Benzema is not realistic, he's not going anywhere. Dybala gone to Juve and Lacazette apparently to PSG (Why Lyon?) so that leaves Vietto.
 
Dracula said:
When people mention formations and where to put rooney, are you saying what you want to happen or what you think should or will happen?

I'm just confused because people are talking about a 4-2-3-1 formation with rooney or a n other being in a 'number 10' role.

There are 3 certainties* for next year:

  1. Rooney will play every game when fit.
  2. Rooney will play as striker
  3. We will play 4-3-3. With one striker.
*actually, itbis possible number 2 isnt a certainty, but it will be lvg's preference, he'll only put rooney in midfield if desperate, i think that ship has sailed for rooney in mid.

Anyway, so we are not going to get a first choice striker. Rooney will be the first choice striker. With RVP and hernandez going, and it looks like wilson on loan, we will certainly need another striker, but it will be someone who replaces rooney when hes injured or rotated for the smaller games.

That isnt gong to be Benzma. Unfortunately, it sounds perfect for Benteke.

It also sounds perfect for Kane but that will never happen.
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I thought that LVG has publicly said that he didn't like Rooney as striker. Maybe he only played him there because RVP was injured / off form and Falcao was rubbish.
 
JPRouve said:
If he has the players he wants and trusts, there is more chance for a 4-2-3-1.
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Why would you think that? lvg has said a number of occasions that 433 is his preferred formation and the only reason he went for a diamond or 352 was due to the 'imbalance' of the squad.

When we had less injuries we played 433 for the last third of the season. Lvg has not once played 4231 this season as far as i can remember. So i cant see how it is more likely than a 433?

Sparky Rhiwabon said:
I thought that LVG has publicly said that he didn't like Rooney as striker. Maybe he only played him there because RVP was injured / off form and Falcao was rubbish.
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He said that early on in season. I think he changed his mind when he saw that rooney was worse as a centre mid.

Lvg actually said later in season that rooney wasnt a midfielder. Ill try find quote..
 
Dracula said:
Why would you think that? lvg has said a number of occasions that 433 is his preferred formation and the only reason he went for a diamond or 352 was due to the 'imbalance' of the squad.

When we had less injuries we played 433 for the last third of the season. Lvg has not once played 4231 this season as far as i can remember. So i cant see how it is more likely than a 433?
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Because LVG likes to have a goalscoring #10, he likes the 4231 but thinks that the 433 is more balanced.
 
JPRouve said:
Because LVG likes to have a goalscoring #10, he likes the 4231 but thinks that the 433 is more balanced.
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If you could direct me to any quotes to that effect that would be appreciated, never heard him say anybody like that.

Not saying you're wrong, just never heard that
 
amolbhatia100 said:
Still think we really need another striker. Even if no one is available and we have to go with someone younger, we are too weak now if rvp goes in this area.
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No, exactly. We will get a striker but it will be a second choice/younger striker.

Benteke as opposed to Benzema
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
if we are going to sign Benteke, we might as well get Demba Ba for much cheaper - they were on a par as far as I can recall.
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Demba Ba? Not convinced. Luca Toni is a way better goalscorer and he'd be much cheaper than Demba Ba.
 
ThanksBoss26 said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for Benteke.
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Me neither. He doesn't convince me but we'd never have to see Fellaini being picked for his aerial threat.

Benteke
Depay ------------------------ Di Maria/Mata
Rooney -----------
---------- Herrera
Schneiderlin
​
Seems well balanced to me. I'd prefer a player of Benzema's calibre of course, if available.
 
Rowem said:
Me neither. He doesn't convince me but we'd never have to see Fellaini being picked for his aerial threat.

Benteke
Depay ------------------------ Di Maria/Mata
Rooney -----------
---------- Herrera
Schneiderlin
​
Seems well balanced to me.
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Looks good. I think there's potential in Benteke and room for improvement too. We know he's available and for what price because of that release clause. Just a matter of if we can get anyone who might be higher on the priority list.
 
JPRouve said:
I can't find the video where he says it himself, but look at this book, 'at midfield':
https://books.google.fr/books?id=l9ZVBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT27&lpg=PT27&dq=van+gaal+assistant+ajax&source=bl&ots=cCMp5dXLg1&sig=RRlKAut5UOgaVOyUCPId8jd6lHk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=lkR0VerzFMz4UOrYgdgK&ved=0CCUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=van gaal assistant ajax&f=false
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In Dutch media van Gaal said this: 'Everyone knows 1433 is my preferred formation, I can play it with a 6 in front of the defence (433) or with a 10 behind the striker (4231) because it gives triangles all over the pitch to dominate a game.

I have to select my team based on their strenghts but also on the opponents.'

He has used both in his carreer and it will depend on which players he buys what he wants to play. If he says he's after a right sided holding midfielder it could be for 4231, but I'm not sure if he has a preference. Generally he always picks a 6, 8 and 10 anyways and he calls both formations 1433.
 
NL Max said:
In Dutch media van Gaal said this: 'Everyone knows 1433 is my preferred formation, I can play it with a 6 in front of the defence (433) or with a 10 behind the striker (4231) because it gives triangles all over the pitch to dominate a game.

I have to select my team based on their strenghts but also on the opponents.'

He has used both in his carreer and it will depend on which players he buys what he wants to play. If he says he's after a right sided holding midfielder it could be for 4231, but I'm not sure if he has a preference. Generally he always picks a 6, 8 and 10 anyways and he calls both formations 1433.
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I know that he can use all of the variants of 4-3-3, from what I remember his favorite is the most attacking but that's not always possible because of the characteristic of his players.
My point was that the 4-1-2-3 isn't a certainty, it will depend on how Van gaal rates his players and how he rates the league.
 
JPRouve said:
I know that he can use all of the variants of 4-3-3, from what I remember his favorite is the most attacking but that's not always possible because of the characteristic of his players.
My point was that the 4-1-2-3 isn't a certainty, it will depend on how Van gaal rates his players and how he rates the league.
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I'm not sure what he wants. With the Netherlands he played 433 and he said he showed them Barcelona as his ideal team - also 433. The midfielders he chooses usually could play either formation so I don't really mind too much, but I am interested to see what he does with Mata and Rooney. Both did great in their respective positions but both could also play at 10, I personally hope he plays Mata there.
 
Your realistic options for a new striker appear to be limited, whilst the need seems to be great. I'm not sure how you'll successfully bridge this gap without throwing an absurd sum of money at the problem.
 
VanGaalEra said:
Benzema is not realistic, he's not going anywhere. Dybala gone to Juve and Lacazette apparently to PSG (Why Lyon?) so that leaves Vietto.
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There are plenty of alternatives:

Jackson Martinez from Porto
28 years old
Strong + Pace
92 goals from his last 132 games (0.69 goals per match)

Edinson Cavani from PSG
28 years old
Strong + Pace
94 goals from his last 134 games (0.67 goals per match) + he has been forced to play more on the wing at PSG to accomodate for Ibrahimovic as main striker but at Napoli when he was the main man he was a consistent 30+ goals a season striker

Christian Benteke from Aston Villa
24 years old
Strong (perfect target man and PL proven)
49 goals in 99 games (0.5 goals per match)

Mauro Icardi from Inter
22 years old
Strong + Pace
Breakthrough season this year and he scored 27 goals from 48 games (0.56 goals per match)

Mario Mandzukic from Atlético Madrid
29 years old
Strong (hardworker and perfect target man)
68 goals from 130 games (0.52 goals per match)

Carlos Bacca from Sevilla
29 year old
Pace
49 goals from 106 games (0.46 goals per match)

Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli
27 years old
Strong
53 goals in 102 games (0.52 goals per match)
 
The smart money now would be on us going for Higuain to join our Argentinian contingent. He might fit in well here for a year or two and perhaps we could have a top young striker coming through the ranks also such as Vietto.
 
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