None. Rooney first choice, RVP and wilson backup.
Get some attacking wideplayer like Bale/greizmann/reus who can contribute goals.
Get some attacking wideplayer like Bale/greizmann/reus who can contribute goals.
Which striker in the summer?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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So are we thinking that we'll just be using Roony, RvP and Wilson in this role despite every pundit, journo and their dog saying we want a top class striker?
I mean Kane is staying put, Juve bought Dybala, Vietto doesn't fit LvG's profile from what @NL Max has said and Lyon are looking to engage in extortion for Lacazette. The other strikers worth having are already at big clubs and hopefully the Ings nonsense is now consigned to the past.
I mean Kane is staying put, Juve bought Dybala, Vietto doesn't fit LvG's profile from what @NL Max has said and Lyon are looking to engage in extortion for Lacazette. The other strikers worth having are already at big clubs and hopefully the Ings nonsense is now consigned to the past.
If we're going to challenge on different fronts we will need options. Its not just a case of having one nailed on striker and a replacement. We need a mixture in the sqaud for when we need to change the team and unlock a defence.
RVP has been very hot and cold this season, I think its time to recoup some money and ship him off to Italy. Falcao will return to France. Rooney should be an option but he needs someone to challenge him to bring the best out. I say buy 2, Lacazette or Muller to challenge Rooney and someone like Berahino (spelling?) As another option alongside 4th choice Wilson (who IMO would benefit from a year on loan at a top half Premier league side)
I'd be getting rid of RVP in a hurry.
We do need another quality option though. Lacazette maybe. You know who'd be ideal? Tevez!
We do need another quality option though. Lacazette maybe. You know who'd be ideal? Tevez!
Kane for the right price.
With Falcao and maybe RVP gone i'd go after Benteke and Berainho.
Benteke for me. He's been on fire lately, and that coupled with an impressive first season before he got injured points to a player on the rise. I guess it would depend on how much Villa would want for him.
Benzema.
Rightly said, top class finisher, nice all round game. Love to see him here.
Still feel it will be Cavani. He needs a club that won't make him a winger, we need a striker and Woody likes marquee names.
Not sure about Benteke, he's good but strikes me as a striker that needs to be playing regularly to score regularly, if that makes sense.
The problem we have next year is this. Rooney is the captain. LVG always plays the captain. So when rooney is fit, he's going to be the striker in a system that only has room for one.
For our second striker we need someone who is either established, experienced and confident (i.e a non shit RVP) or a hungry young striker desperate to impress. (I.e Wilson).
If would make most sense to have both of these and have 3 strikers, with the young one as third striker.
So, in theory we should be sorted. Rooney 1, RvP 2 and Wilson 3.
The problem is that Rvp has turned crap, and All the voices coming out of OT suggest Wilson will be going out on loan (which i actually agree with). So we will need a second and third striker.
The third striker could be filled by a winger who is actually a decent striker too (i.e muller).
Is the second choice striker we will have problems with. A benteke will end up like Ba did at Chelsea.
Of course, this could all be solved by getting rid of rooney
The problem we have next year is this. Rooney is the captain. LVG always plays the captain. So when rooney is fit, he's going to be the striker in a system that only has room for one.
For our second striker we need someone who is either established, experienced and confident (i.e a non shit RVP) or a hungry young striker desperate to impress. (I.e Wilson).
If would make most sense to have both of these and have 3 strikers, with the young one as third striker.
So, in theory we should be sorted. Rooney 1, RvP 2 and Wilson 3.
The problem is that Rvp has turned crap, and All the voices coming out of OT suggest Wilson will be going out on loan (which i actually agree with). So we will need a second and third striker.
The third striker could be filled by a winger who is actually a decent striker too (i.e muller).
Is the second choice striker we will have problems with. A benteke will end up like Ba did at Chelsea.
Of course, this could all be solved by getting rid of rooney
I think we should approached this rationally something many fans and also the club hasn't been doing for quite some time TBH.
a) What is the true state of our forward line? Many keep mentioning that we lack quality strikers however the stats doesn't back such thing. Rooney scored 21 goals in 44 games this season (club and country) and that despite playing a substantial number of games in midfield. RVP scored 13 in 36 games (club and country) and we also have Hernandez + Wilson. We mustn't forget that this was the World cup season. Most of these players haven't had a proper rest for a year. While not being exactly old (29-31 is the prime of a player career), a year of constant football does take its toil over players especially if these players happen to play in the EPL. I am confident that a month or two of rest will do wonders for them
B) Age is often being mentioned as a matter of concern. RVP is 31 and Rooney is 29. That's not old. Both players have at least 2-4 years of good football left. With Hernandez in the mix we can also afford to send Wilson on loan and by the time RVP is at 33 we would have another option available. May I remind people that we'll get peanuts by selling them. At 31 and on that salary we'll probably have to give RVP a free transfer deal (which he will probably refuse) while we'll be lucky to get 5-8m for Hernandez. On those fees we might as well keep them
C) Whom should we buy? If we insist on this route than it depends on what we want. Do we need a first teamer or someone to cover/compete Rooney upfront? That's quite significant because there's no way we're spending 30-50m for a reserve. However if we insist on LVG's system (which stresses on a lone striker) than we have to focus on players of a lower profile player who are ready to sit on the bench. Which sort of makes me wonder. Are the likes of Berahino, Ings and Benteke better than RVP?
D) My final point links directly to my first point. What is the true state of our forward line? Time and time again the forward line is being criticized however is it at fault for what's going on. The midfield hasn't yet settled down and so is the defense. So I wonder could it be the case that the latter two is the reason why we're not scoring enough goals?
a) What is the true state of our forward line? Many keep mentioning that we lack quality strikers however the stats doesn't back such thing. Rooney scored 21 goals in 44 games this season (club and country) and that despite playing a substantial number of games in midfield. RVP scored 13 in 36 games (club and country) and we also have Hernandez + Wilson. We mustn't forget that this was the World cup season. Most of these players haven't had a proper rest for a year. While not being exactly old (29-31 is the prime of a player career), a year of constant football does take its toil over players especially if these players happen to play in the EPL. I am confident that a month or two of rest will do wonders for them
B) Age is often being mentioned as a matter of concern. RVP is 31 and Rooney is 29. That's not old. Both players have at least 2-4 years of good football left. With Hernandez in the mix we can also afford to send Wilson on loan and by the time RVP is at 33 we would have another option available. May I remind people that we'll get peanuts by selling them. At 31 and on that salary we'll probably have to give RVP a free transfer deal (which he will probably refuse) while we'll be lucky to get 5-8m for Hernandez. On those fees we might as well keep them
C) Whom should we buy? If we insist on this route than it depends on what we want. Do we need a first teamer or someone to cover/compete Rooney upfront? That's quite significant because there's no way we're spending 30-50m for a reserve. However if we insist on LVG's system (which stresses on a lone striker) than we have to focus on players of a lower profile player who are ready to sit on the bench. Which sort of makes me wonder. Are the likes of Berahino, Ings and Benteke better than RVP?
D) My final point links directly to my first point. What is the true state of our forward line? Time and time again the forward line is being criticized however is it at fault for what's going on. The midfield hasn't yet settled down and so is the defense. So I wonder could it be the case that the latter two is the reason why we're not scoring enough goals?
Rvp will be 32 by the time the season starts and that is old. I don't think he has 2-4 seasons of decent football left, mainly based on the fact he hasn't had a decent season of football IN two years.
It doesn't matter if we get no money for seeking him, it's not your money. He's not good enough and needs to be replaced.
You're right, our forward line isn't that bad. But rooney isn't the striker of old and although he's a good striker, if we want to be challenging for titles we need a great striker. Rooney is capable of having a great season, i just wouldn't bank on it.
Again, it's a moot point though. Rooney is captain, he will be first choice striker next season
Realistic: Lacazette
Unrealistic: Kane, Benzema, Lewandowski
Unrealistic: Kane, Benzema, Lewandowski
Rooney has 2 20+ league goal seasons in his career and his last was 2011/2012. This season he's scored 12 goals in 32 games.
As a central midfielder he scored 3 goals in 14 appearances and as a striker 4 goals and 13 appearances. The other 4 goals were while playing as a CAM. If it was any other player we would be saying that's not good enough for Manchester United. We can't base the success of next season on RVP turning good again and Rooney magically having a 30 league goal season. Many are blaming everyone but our strikers when it comes to the lack of scoring goals. Space is created by a good striker, a good striker always finds space to receive the ball and cause problems. Our strikers aren't doing that.
I think he's more than good for us. Players don't go from world class to shit at age 32 unless they picked a career threatening injury. He does look tired though, which is reasonable considering he didn't rested for an entire year.
In my opinion we need to be careful on what we want. If we're bringing one of the sensations of the season, than that will cost us 30-40m. At that fee we will have to play him regularly which means either reverting to a 2 men forward line (which would upset LVG system) or else play Rooney in midfield. The alternative would be a lesser profile striker. I doubt that the options (Ings or Beharino are better than RVP TBH.
If you ask me we've got more pressing issues like stop playing wingers as RBs and strikers in midfield. Rooney, RVP, Hernandez, Wilson, Mata (as no 10) are good enough for us. Also with defenses getting tighter I think that the role of strikers as the main providers of goals will decrease. Goals must come from elsewhere. We're in a great position on that regard. Herrera, Mata and Fellaini are decent in terms of scoring goals + we've just added Depay who scored 25 goals this season between club and country.
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We have been messing with Rooney for years. SAF played him on the flanks, LVG in midfield etc. Also strikers would only score goals if they are provided with service. We've lacked of quality midfielders for quite some time now.
I wouldn't worry too much about goals TBH. RVP and Rooney are regular scorers and Hernandez is the classical goal poacher. This year they struggled due to change in management + the WC effect which tend to effect the older players. Also don't forget that we've got Mata whose lethal as no 10. We've also added Depay (25 goals this season with club and country) and I wouldn't be surprised if we add another goalscoring winger to compliment him on the right.
Rooney has never scored 20 league goals in a title winning season. United win leagues when Rooney is a supporting player, not the leader of the attack.
If a top class striker is available, it would be negligent not to go for him. If not, adding more goals from midfield or the wide areas is the way to go.
United need to add much more quality to the attack next season and it may mean a new system. Their attack was very one dimensional at the end of the season. Young crossing to Fellaini needs to be plan B or C, not A, B and C.
If a top class striker is available, it would be negligent not to go for him. If not, adding more goals from midfield or the wide areas is the way to go.
United need to add much more quality to the attack next season and it may mean a new system. Their attack was very one dimensional at the end of the season. Young crossing to Fellaini needs to be plan B or C, not A, B and C.
Rooney is a great player to have in the team, he makes thinks happen and everything seems more focused and robust when he plays. He's a linch pin. Problem is he's not actually great in any position, not a good enough goal scorer to be our 9, not creative enough to be our 10, not good enough on the ball to play wide, not dynamic/quick enough to play 8...his best qualities are strangely intangible- he makes a massive difference to the team when he's playing but we need someone better than him in every position...
With defenses getting tighter and more clubs opting for the parking the bus tactic I can't see a lot of strikers capable of scoring 20 goals + for us. Its one thing being a regular scorer at a club like Aston Villa or Tottenham however the situation at United is completely different. A United' lone striker is heavily and constantly marked.
In my opinion we need to be less reliant on the main striker in terms of scoring goals. What we need is not a goal poacher but someone who can get involved in the game by upsetting the opponents defense lineup causing them to create spaces for others to exploit. We've got some decent scorers in midfield (Depay, Herrera, Mata and Fellaini), hopefully we'll be able to add more (ie retaining Nani? Bale?)
In my opinion we need to be less reliant on the main striker in terms of scoring goals. What we need is not a goal poacher but someone who can get involved in the game by upsetting the opponents defense lineup causing them to create spaces for others to exploit. We've got some decent scorers in midfield (Depay, Herrera, Mata and Fellaini), hopefully we'll be able to add more (ie retaining Nani? Bale?)
For some reason, I've got this feeling that we will buy Berahino. Had it for months.
Depends on Woodwards marquee signing really. If we get Bale or Muller we won't need as many goals from out 9's as our wide forwards and midfielders will contribute plenty. So Rooney, RVP and Wilson will be plenty.
If we sell RVP then we need one more, but which top class talent is gonna sign for us knowing he will be 2nd choice for as long as Rooney is captain?
I'd rather we invest in our defence and midfield this window, and spend big replacing RVP in the next
If we sell RVP then we need one more, but which top class talent is gonna sign for us knowing he will be 2nd choice for as long as Rooney is captain?
I'd rather we invest in our defence and midfield this window, and spend big replacing RVP in the next
We are lacking a striker with blistering pace that could stretch defences, for me Benteke wold be an okay choice but too expensive at £30m.
Very good summation of the conundrum that is Rooney.
yeah but the point is about being realistic. LVG will play him, either in centre midfield or up front. I think up front is the lesser of two evils
Benteke is certainly not the type to make runs in behind and rely on blistering pace.
We need a Suarez type striker. None available though.
Depay - rooney - bale front 3.
A striker that can bring pace, strength and link up play.
We should go for Bale
Jermaine Beckford. 
If Bale is available at the right price then sure. Not if it's close to £80m though. For that kind of money we could have almost any player in the world, and we're in more need of improvement in 3 other positions.
@NL Max Was wondering if Depay ever played as a striker before or could he potentially be groomed as one if Di Maria/Mata and Januzaj all have good seasons. Normally wouldn't think it, but he's great there on FM for me always and I put him there when I have injuries (and it says he is capable of playing there) 
There's a real lack of any good potential striker signing really so Van Gaal could see it as an option, using Depay as a left winger but also filling in up front and getting some games there when we need it.
There's a real lack of any good potential striker signing really so Van Gaal could see it as an option, using Depay as a left winger but also filling in up front and getting some games there when we need it.
Is benteke considered to have blistering pace? I would like ledwandowski to lead the line, or a striker in the aguero/suarez style - nimble and lightning fast on the ball with a good finish, Dybala?
@NL Max Was wondering if Depay ever played as a striker before or could he potentially be groomed as one if Di Maria/Mata and Januzaj all have good seasons. Normally wouldn't think it, but he's great there on FM for me always and I put him there when I have injuries (and it says he is capable of playing there)
There's a real lack of any good potential striker signing really so Van Gaal could see it as an option, using Depay as a left winger but also filling in up front and getting some games there when we need it.
Yeah I haven't seen lots of him but I get the distinct impression he could do a decent job there if needed. His movement is good and he has an eye for goal. If RvP goes we'll obviously need to bring someone else in. I doubt it will be a big name like Cavani. Hard to think who that'd be really, I definitely don't want Ings or Berahino
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We need pace and movement in our frontline, we've got loads of guys who can play a killer pass but no-one with the acceleration to take advantage. Depay should help with that, but it'd be nice those qualities in a striker. Alternatively we could go for a big guy with good link-up play if we want to push the possession-in-the-final-third game to its conclusion.
Dybala just signed for Juve
Lacazette. Pace, power, and lethal in front of goal. One of the best number 9's around.
Several posters have mentioned needing a striker with pace...
What about keeping Hernandez? I guess he's not ideally suited to a lone striker role as he lacks physicality but he's an absolute goal machine and scores a lot of headers. We pass the ball on the deck so I don't think we absolutely require a Benteke-style striker. Imagine Mata playing balls in for Hernandez, it'd be glorious. If we bought in a couple players in other positions with some height/strength then I think we could utilize Hernandez upfront. Plus if we keep Fellaini as a bench option, Hernandez would thrive on his knock-downs and flicks in and around the box.
With RVP and Falcao going perhaps it'd be worth convincing Chich to stay. Plus he's so damn lovable.
What about keeping Hernandez? I guess he's not ideally suited to a lone striker role as he lacks physicality but he's an absolute goal machine and scores a lot of headers. We pass the ball on the deck so I don't think we absolutely require a Benteke-style striker. Imagine Mata playing balls in for Hernandez, it'd be glorious. If we bought in a couple players in other positions with some height/strength then I think we could utilize Hernandez upfront. Plus if we keep Fellaini as a bench option, Hernandez would thrive on his knock-downs and flicks in and around the box.
With RVP and Falcao going perhaps it'd be worth convincing Chich to stay. Plus he's so damn lovable.
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