William Carvalho

[Eric'sCollar]

Is he anything like Wanyama? Thats who this this thread reminds me of.

I would say quite similar. Was a big fan of Wanyama at Celtic and wanted him to join United, so I'm not surprised I'm glad to see interest in Carvalho.

 

[Salfordlad70]

Carvalho and Kroos would be a great summer.Not sure custis knows anything at the Sun but those two names are gonna be muppet central come the summer!

 

[Mister Ed]

It will be interesting to see how we line up if we get Carvalho and a Kroos/Gundogan type. That would give us the option of playing an extremely strong midfield three but you would imagine Carvalho and Fellaini won't be played together in most games. Essentially we would always be stuck with a 30mil or so midfielder on the bench.

------Carvalho----Kroos------
Januzaj-----Mata------New Winger
-----------Rooney---------------

---------Carvalho-----------------
------Kroos----Fellaini-----------
Mata------Rooney-----New Winger/Januzaj

would be the way I'd play

 

[Getsme]

Carvalho and Kroos would be a great summer.Not sure custis knows anything at the Sun but those two names are gonna be muppet central come the summer!

Add Shaw to that list and our major summer signing would be near complete.

 

[Sixpence]

You have no idea what 2 top class CM's would do to this side, it would improve it infinitely.

 

[TheNewEra]

I just recently got promoted from the Newbie Forums, I've been saying there for a few weeks now how I think the squad could operate next season.

My ideal midfield would be for David Moyes to splash £100M on the Midfield, £40M to pry Kroos from Bayern, £30M for Gundogan and Carvalho (each).

These are realistic targets too (I can justify why I think so if you disagree)

What this would do is it would give the midfield a lot of options, taking into addition the current squad it allows for rotation in ways that would make fans excited.

It'd allow the following (midfield 3):

-------Carvalho
--Kroos------Gundogan

Carvalho would be a holding midfield player, protecting the back four, he reads the game so well by the games I've seen at sporting, he would give the likes of Kroos and Gundogan chance to go forward and pull the strings.

Kroos, he's an exceptional talent no doubt, not seen a passer of the ball like him since Scholes and that's saying something, he connects with the ball so cleanly there's just an incisiveness about what he does, not only that but he's inventive too, look at the pass to Robben in the CL where he just drifts it over the defense, or the way where he looks as if he's spreading it wide but slips it inside much like a striker disguising his shot, the defense just gets split in two and he's an all round midfielder.

With Kroos though he isn't the most aggressive in tackling so he would need a pairing of a Carvalho in the team.

Gundogan, I actually think he's a box to box player, many see him as passer like Xavi, I've read so many articles out there about him being a replacement for Xavi if Barcelona were to go for him, I disagree completely, I think he's much more like Iniesta in how he runs with the ball and does short exchanges with players around him, and he can be moulded into that kind of role at 23.

Next year I think if we were to spend £100M on Carvalho, Kroos, Gundogan it would be as dynamic as Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, and they are all under 24, imagine when they are all 26-27 in their prime, I think with those 3 on the team sheet would scare any opposition.

It also allows Januzaj, Mata to be inverted wingers up top with Rooney, interchanging positions which would make it hard to mark them position wise, not only that but in the midfield it allows for Rotation, Carrick can come in for Kroos in games where he needs resting, Cleverley can come in for Gundogan (yes I know theres cleverley debate I'm not much of a fan however you need to meet home-grown quota), or Fellaini can come on for Gundogan as a box to box player to, Fellaini can really impose himself in games where he's needed like Stoke as a Box to Box, I think Fellaini is capable of doing the CDM role too.

(basically the above paragraph any of the midfield can rotate in that system pretty much, and we wouldn't notice it so much if Kroos needed to be rested and Carrick play in his place although ability wise he's a tier or two below him there'd still be adequate supply in the likes of Gundogan in the team)

If this summer though, Manchester United were to get Gundogan, Kroos and Carvalho, all realistic targets besides Kroos perhaps, it would be the best midfield in the premier league, not just ability wise, but balance wise between attack and defence too, which Chelsea and City lack I feel, (Chelsea too defensive, City too attacking)

 

[devilish]

I'm guessing something like:

Rooney
Griezmann? Mata Januzaj
Carvalho Kroos
??? Smalling Jones Rafael
De Gea​

Assuming RVP is off in the summer, which I think would be best for both parties. All the talk about Griezmann makes me think we'll sign him too, although a truly muppet signing would be Reus for that position. Brilliant lineup all around that, especially if we get someone like Shaw for left back.

Kroos shouldn't play that deep

I'd say we would still play with the same formation with Kroos taking Rooney role and Rooney taking Rvp role. A sort of a more hardworking version of 4-3-3 that can swiftly change to 4-2-3-1

----carrick/Fellaini---calvalho----

Januzaj------Kroos-------mata

-----------------Rooney----

 

[gza the genius]

It would be really silly if you dropped Fellaini and brought in Carvalho and Kroos/Gundogan as Carvalho has shown hardly anything compared to Fellaini as of yet and it's not like Fellaini is 30. If Carvalho was going to cost 10m, it would make more sense, but 29m? Silly.

I'd guess us having Fellaini already would mean Carvalho is the backup, giving him a few years to develop with no immediate pressure. Him and Fellaini seem relatively similar so if one of them was injured you could put the other in without changing our playing style much. But yeah, it seems silly to spend 30mil or so for someone to be on the bench.

Who knows though, maybe RvP really is off and we plan on putting a Kroos type of player in front of Carvalho and Fellaini and moving Rooney up top.

 

[TheNewEra]

I'd guess us having Fellaini already would mean Carvalho is the backup, giving him a few years to develop with no immediate pressure. Him and Fellaini seem relatively similar so if one of them was injured you could put the other in without changing our playing style much. But yeah, it seems silly to spend 30mil or so for someone to be on the bench.

Who knows though, maybe RvP really is off and we plan on putting a Kroos type of player in front of Carvalho and Fellaini and moving Rooney up top.

I doubt that, I think Fellaini will have his moments, he can rotate with others in the midfield, Fellaini isn't so much a CDM he's more of a box to box player who supports the attacks but comes back to support defensively too, he's not as disciplined as Carvalho, plus his positioning isn't as good.

There are games where Fellaini will be a key component when there is a game we need a big physical presence running into the box.

 

[SilentWitness]

What i don't get most about people wanting to write off Fellaini for Carvalho is that by reading this thread it sounds like most people see Carvalho as a pure DM which is what people would criticise Fellaini for being e.g Not being a great passer, not being great technically, having to have more to his game than just a pure DM in a United side.

 

[TheNewEra]

What i don't get most about people wanting to write off Fellaini for Carvalho is that by reading this thread it sounds like most people see Carvalho as a pure DM which is what people would criticise Fellaini for being e.g Not being a great passer, not being great technically, having to have more to his game than just a pure DM in a United side.

Fellaini I think is more valuable in the team as a Box to Box, where as Carvalho being a pure DM, meaning there's somewhere there to "stall" opponents whilst players like Fellaini get back to defend, Fellaini is a good passer and he has good technique but I think he offers more going forward.

He's a nuisance to teams to defend, especially smaller sides.

 

[devilish]

What i don't get most about people wanting to write off Fellaini for Carvalho is that by reading this thread it sounds like most people see Carvalho as a pure DM which is what people would criticise Fellaini for being e.g Not being a great passer, not being great technically, having to have more to his game than just a pure DM in a United side.

A pure quality DM brings qualities to the table that Fellaini does not ie positioning, ability to win the ball without playing dirty etc

 

[SilentWitness]

Fellaini I think is more valuable in the team as a Box to Box, where as Carvalho being a pure DM, meaning there's somewhere there to "stall" opponents whilst players like Fellaini get back to defend, Fellaini is a good passer and he has good technique but I think he offers more going forward.

He's a nuisance to teams to defend, especially smaller sides.

None of the top teams play with a 'pure DM'. They all have a player who is no doubt the defensive minded one, but offers much more than just that. By what is being stated it doesn't sound like Carvalho will offer much more than 'protecting the back 4'.

 

[devilish]

Fellaini I think is more valuable in the team as a Box to Box, where as Carvalho being a pure DM, meaning there's somewhere there to "stall" opponents whilst players like Fellaini get back to defend, Fellaini is a good passer and he has good technique but I think he offers more going forward.

He's a nuisance to teams to defend, especially smaller sides.

Scholes, Kroos and veron are great passers of the ball. Passing to the nearby player doesn't qualify you as a good passer

 

[TheNewEra]

Scholes, Kroos and veron are great passers of the ball. Passing to the nearby player doesn't qualify you as a good passer

Fellaini has his moments, I'm not saying he's a world class player who can ping a 40 yard ball, I'm saying he can keep possession, Fellaini is the type of player that's hard to prepare for in a match day plan, he's a nuisance to deal with.

 

[SilentWitness]

A pure quality DM brings qualities to the table that Fellaini does not ie positioning, ability to win the ball without playing dirty etc

His positioning is bad which is why his tackles/interceptions/clearances are all top of the table/near to it in the majority of games he plays. How does he manage to do that with such horrid positioning.

 

[TheNewEra]

None of the top teams play with a 'pure DM'. They all have a player who is no doubt the defensive minded one, but offers much more than just that. By what is being stated it doesn't sound like Carvalho will offer much more than 'protecting the back 4'.

Carvalho is good at playing it out from the back, keeping possession not putting pressure on the team and the back four constantly, top teams do play with a "Pure DM" look at Martinez or Lahm at Bayern, or Busquets, Khedira at Real Madrid.

Fernandinho offers that at City, so does Matic, most teams have one now, Manchester United are suffering because they don't have one

 

[devilish]

His positioning is bad which is why his tackles/interceptions/clearances are all top of the table/near to it in the majority of games he plays. How does he manage to do that with such horrid positioning.

He can be a nuisance to play against I give u that. However being a quality dm is much more then running around and hacking people. He's a box to box type of player not a dm. He lacks the discipline, positioning and pace to be that

 

[devilish]

Fellaini has his moments, I'm not saying he's a world class player who can ping a 40 yard ball, I'm saying he can keep possession, Fellaini is the type of player that's hard to prepare for in a match day plan, he's a nuisance to deal with.

I am merely commenting on the good passer thing.

 

[Alock1]

He can be a nuisance to play against I give u that. However being a quality dm is much more then running around and hacking people

I thought he was too immobile for that too though, right?

 

[SilentWitness]

Carvalho is good at playing it out from the back, keeping possession not putting pressure on the team and the back four constantly, top teams do play with a "Pure DM" look at Martinez or Lahm at Bayern, or Busquets, Khedira at Real Madrid.

Fernandinho offers that at City, so does Matic, most teams have one now, Manchester United are suffering because they don't have one

They're not 'Pure DMs'. They offer far more than just that.

 

[devilish]

I thought he was too immobile for that too though, right?

What immobility got to do with hacking players? Actually players tend to do that more often when they become slower (Gaz, baresi, gattuso). Being a nuisance is more of a mental attitude (bad loser etc) then a physical one. Being a World class box to box player is a different matter altogether

 

[TheNewEra]

They're not 'Pure DMs'. They offer far more than just that.

They are, they don't join the attack often, they sit around the back four, they give the others license to get forward and attack, the sacrifice is usually to play one striker and 5 in midfield and dominate that way, on the attack it becomes pretty much a 4-3-3, it's how Barcelona and Bayern have played for the last few years.

 

[Pexbo]

Add Shaw to that list and our major summer signing would be near complete.

And Reus and I'll be happy.

 

[Getsme]

And Reus and I'll be happy.

Good shout.

 

[MkPaul]

The problem is, the three players you mentioned @TheNewEra make far too much sense. We have a history of not going for logical transfers.

I agree that Fellaini won't be scrapped, he will most certainly have a part to play in some big games. Like you said, he is a nuisance and I think he would be happy to play for United knowing thats his job. As you said, the best teams in the world do actually have a DM and looking at that midfield trio, it would easily put us up there at the top again. The problem is, these links are all based on rumours and who we feel would be good targets. Unfortunately I think Moyes will have different plans and I don't see us getting all of them. I think we will sign a LB, a CM and a striker if RVP leaves.

 

[sullydnl]

Carvalho is good at playing it out from the back, keeping possession not putting pressure on the team and the back four constantly, top teams do play with a "Pure DM" look at Martinez or Lahm at Bayern, or Busquets, Khedira at Real Madrid.

Fernandinho offers that at City, so does Matic, most teams have one now, Manchester United are suffering because they don't have one

Whatever about the rest, Buquets really isn't a good example of the kind of pure DM SW is talking about. He offers way more on the ball than that suggests.

 

[devilish]

Whatever about the rest, Buquets really isn't a good example of the kind of pure DM SW is talking about. He offers way more on the ball than that suggests.

There are decent DMs and quality ones. Gattuso wasn't technical but would cover every inch of the pitch, win every ball and inspire others to do the same. He was instrumental for Milan/Italy to win the cl/wc. I'll take him to any of our current CM at the moment

 

[TheNewEra]

There are decent DMs and quality ones. Gattuso wasn't technical but would cover every inch of the pitch, win every ball and inspire others to do the same. He was instrumental for Milan/Italy to win the cl/wc. I'll take him to any of our current CM at the moment

Gattuso was ruthless, didn't he break Giggs nose in a game? he atleast came close I remember, Gattuso was a Keane figure, and I agree with you he was instrumental.

He was dirty, but he was a likeable character.

Gattuso used to go into a rough challenge and then pumped up the crowd to get them shouting and behind the players, he was the kind of player that made the others around him more aggressive and have bite in their challenge, like how Jones flew into that one at the weekend, of course it helped to have greats like Seedorf and Maldini around you but Gattuso gave a lot to the team, not just his play style but his personality and his character gave them determination.

 

[Kag]

I just recently got promoted from the Newbie Forums, I've been saying there for a few weeks now how I think the squad could operate next season.

My ideal midfield would be for David Moyes to splash £100M on the Midfield, £40M to pry Kroos from Bayern, £30M for Gundogan and Carvalho (each).

These are realistic targets too (I can justify why I think so if you disagree)

What this would do is it would give the midfield a lot of options, taking into addition the current squad it allows for rotation in ways that would make fans excited.

It'd allow the following (midfield 3):

-------Carvalho
--Kroos------Gundogan

Carvalho would be a holding midfield player, protecting the back four, he reads the game so well by the games I've seen at sporting, he would give the likes of Kroos and Gundogan chance to go forward and pull the strings.

Kroos, he's an exceptional talent no doubt, not seen a passer of the ball like him since Scholes and that's saying something, he connects with the ball so cleanly there's just an incisiveness about what he does, not only that but he's inventive too, look at the pass to Robben in the CL where he just drifts it over the defense, or the way where he looks as if he's spreading it wide but slips it inside much like a striker disguising his shot, the defense just gets split in two and he's an all round midfielder.

With Kroos though he isn't the most aggressive in tackling so he would need a pairing of a Carvalho in the team.

Gundogan, I actually think he's a box to box player, many see him as passer like Xavi, I've read so many articles out there about him being a replacement for Xavi if Barcelona were to go for him, I disagree completely, I think he's much more like Iniesta in how he runs with the ball and does short exchanges with players around him, and he can be moulded into that kind of role at 23.

Next year I think if we were to spend £100M on Carvalho, Kroos, Gundogan it would be as dynamic as Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, and they are all under 24, imagine when they are all 26-27 in their prime, I think with those 3 on the team sheet would scare any opposition.

It also allows Januzaj, Mata to be inverted wingers up top with Rooney, interchanging positions which would make it hard to mark them position wise, not only that but in the midfield it allows for Rotation, Carrick can come in for Kroos in games where he needs resting, Cleverley can come in for Gundogan (yes I know theres cleverley debate I'm not much of a fan however you need to meet home-grown quota), or Fellaini can come on for Gundogan as a box to box player to, Fellaini can really impose himself in games where he's needed like Stoke as a Box to Box, I think Fellaini is capable of doing the CDM role too.

(basically the above paragraph any of the midfield can rotate in that system pretty much, and we wouldn't notice it so much if Kroos needed to be rested and Carrick play in his place although ability wise he's a tier or two below him there'd still be adequate supply in the likes of Gundogan in the team)

If this summer though, Manchester United were to get Gundogan, Kroos and Carvalho, all realistic targets besides Kroos perhaps, it would be the best midfield in the premier league, not just ability wise, but balance wise between attack and defence too, which Chelsea and City lack I feel, (Chelsea too defensive, City too attacking)

Fancy taking charge? I like the ideas, and I'd like to see us go down this kind of route if we really are to spend this insane amount of money.

As suggested, a left back like Shaw and a left sided attacker like Reus and we would be in for a ridiculously fun Summer. I don't think this squad needs that much work, but if this was fantasy football, I'd be going for the 5 players quoted.

 

[devilish]

Gattuso was ruthless, didn't he break Giggs nose in a game? he atleast came close I remember, Gattuso was a Keane figure, and I agree with you he was instrumental.

He was dirty, but he was a likeable character.

Gattuso used to go into a rough challenge and then pumped up the crowd to get them shouting and behind the players, he was the kind of player that made the others around him more aggressive and have bite in their challenge, like how Jones flew into that one at the weekend, of course it helped to have greats like Seedorf and Maldini around you but Gattuso gave a lot to the team, not just his play style but his personality and his character gave them determination.

He was aggressive, it's part of the job. However much of the time he won the ball without fouling anyone and his marking was incredible. He could blot quality players out of the game completely

Things changed when he grew older. Players like him should retire before age catches them up because they become dangerous to play against

 

[SilentWitness]

Whatever about the rest, Buquets really isn't a good example of the kind of pure DM SW is talking about. He offers way more on the ball than that suggests.

It's more that the players they deploy can be playmakers without you realising until you take notice. People like Busquets stand out more in this regard (the playmaking side, as he has a 50/50 balance IMO).

 

[Mister Ed]

Fancy taking charge? I like the ideas, and I'd like to see us go down this kind of route if we really are to spend this insane amount of money.

As suggested, a left back like Shaw and a left sided attacker like Reus and we would be in for a ridiculously fun Summer. I don't think this squad needs that much work, but if this was fantasy football, I'd be going for the 5 players quoted.

If you go after Reus this summer you will end up empty handed just like what happened last summer with Fabregas, only last year there was maybay a shred of realistic hope on signing him (but not for the money we offered) while with Reus there is absolutley no chance whatsoever of him joining us, none simple as that.

Shaw, Kroos and Carvalho are fine targets, but I don't really see the point in signing Gundogan if we were to get Carvalho and Kroos. If you have those kind of players Fellaini can play as a box to box player and he would be great at it, I've always said if you want to get the most out of Fellaini you should play him in a 3 man midfield. Absolutley pointless to spend £30m then on Gundogan especially because it is very uncertain he'll be a realiable player for us with his injurry issues (back injurry is long term and he might never completley heal from that) and it would be a complete waste of the £27.5m we spend on Fellaini in the summer, sure we overspend on the guy but to just push him aside and don't even consider him as an option for a first choice player in our midfield is really just unacceptable. We need atleast one midfielder, we can do with 2 if the right is available (like Kroos) but we definitley don't need 3 seeing as we also have Fellaini and Cleverley, Carrick and Fletcher will sill be here next season as cover up. We can beter spend that £30m to strenghten another position (like cover up for the fullback positions or centreback, a striker if Hernandez or RVP would leave).

 

[Blasphemy]

What i don't get most about people wanting to write off Fellaini for Carvalho is that by reading this thread it sounds like most people see Carvalho as a pure DM which is what people would criticise Fellaini for being e.g Not being a great passer, not being great technically, having to have more to his game than just a pure DM in a United side.

My biggest problem with Fellaini in the holding role is his lack of mobility and the fact he seems to foul players as often as he tackles them. His lack of technique/passing is frustrating but I don't mind a destroyer who enables us to field more attacking players elsehwere if they're really good at it, but I don't think Fellaini especially is.

 

[TheNewEra]

If you go after Reus this summer you will end up empty handed just like what happened last summer with Fabregas, only last year there was maybay a shred of realistic hope on signing him (but not for the money we offered) while with Reus there is absolutley no chance whatsoever of him joining us, none simple as that.

Shaw, Kroos and Carvalho are fine targets, but I don't really see the point in signing Gundogan if we were to get Carvalho and Kroos. If you have those kind of players Fellaini can play as a box to box player and he would be great at it, I've always said if you want to get the most out of Fellaini you should play him in a 3 man midfield. Absolutley pointless to spend £30m then on Gundogan especially because it is very uncertain he'll be a realiable player for us with his injurry issues (back injurry is long term and he might never completley heal from that) and it would be a complete waste of the £27.5m we spend on Fellaini in the summer, sure we overspend on the guy but to just push him aside and don't even consider him as an option for a first choice player in our midfield is really just unacceptable. We need atleast one midfielder, we can do with 2 if the right is available (like Kroos) but we definitley don't need 3 seeing as we also have Fellaini and Cleverley, Carrick and Fletcher will sill be here next season as cover up. We can beter spend that £30m to strenghten another position (like cover up for the fullback positions or centreback, a striker if Hernandez or RVP would leave).

Rotation and squad depth, aswell as the three being interchangable would be the reason for Gundogan too (gundogan offers an extra dimension to the play and is more "complete" as a box to box, where fellaini would be more of a mobile target-man and a danger of set pieces), aswell as being able to play 4 in midfield, 3 in other games, depending on the opponent, it's justified having Kroos, Gundogan and Carvalho, aswell as the likes of Fellaini rotating etc, the injury is a myth, Gundogan said it himself, it's internet speculation.

Spending the likes of £100M on those 3 wouldn't be a bad thing, it'd set us up for many seasons, investing heavily for the long haul, it would pay off.

Reus isn't really "unthinkable" if the right offer comes in, they'd sell.

 

[SilentWitness]

My biggest problem with Fellaini in the holding role is his lack of mobility and the fact he seems to foul players as often as he tackles them. His lack of technique/passing is frustrating but I don't mind a destroyer who enables us to field more attacking players elsehwere if they're really good at it, but I don't think Fellaini especially is.

No. Stop.

 

[Varun]

My biggest problem with Fellaini in the holding role is his lack of mobility and the fact he seems to foul players as often as he tackles them. His lack of technique/passing is frustrating but I don't mind a destroyer who enables us to field more attacking players elsehwere if they're really good at it, but I don't think Fellaini especially is.

Mobility I agrew with but I like the way he passes the ball. Not the most creative of passers, but always looks forward. Good to see.

 

[Mister Ed]

Rotation and squad depth, aswell as the three being interchangable would be the reason for Gundogan too (gundogan offers an extra dimension to the play and is more "complete" as a box to box, where fellaini would be more of a mobile target-man and a danger of set pieces), aswell as being able to play 4 in midfield, 3 in other games, depending on the opponent, it's justified having Kroos, Gundogan and Carvalho, aswell as the likes of Fellaini rotating etc, the injury is a myth, Gundogan said it himself, it's internet speculation.

Spending the likes of £100M on those 3 wouldn't be a bad thing, it'd set us up for many seasons, investing heavily for the long haul, it would pay off.

Reus isn't really "unthinkable" if the right offer comes in, they'd sell.

Reus is as unrealistic for us as it gets. Dortmund has already said they won't even consider selling him and Reus has absolutley no reason to join us either especially because he knows he can make a better move next year when his clause kicks in. On top of that he has said that he is happy at Dortmund and for the moment he doesn't want to play anywhere else. Good luck getting that guy in the summer, I think you'll have as much chance of getting Ronaldo or Messi in the summer.

On top of that we are currently playing in a formation that suits 2 midfielders and not 3, what will you do with Mata, Kagawa, Rooney etc that could play as a number 10 ? Even if you wanted to convert to a 3 man midfield, if you sign Kroos and Carvalho you already have all the midfielders you need to play like that with Fellaini. The squad depth will come from Carrick, Cleverley and Fletcher (the club is not going to sell them and it be a complete wast to have them on the wagelist if you are never going to play them). In short there is no need for us to sign 3 midfielders, you can sign Kroos+Carvalho, you can sign Carvalho+Gundogan and you can sign Kroos+Gundogan but there is absolutley no reason to sign all 3 of them, its pure overkill !

 

[TheNewEra]

Reus is as unrealistic for us as it gets. Dortmund has already said they won't even consider selling him and Reus has absolutley no reason to join us either especially because he knows he can make a better move next year when his clause kicks in. On top of that he has said that he is happy at Dortmund and for the moment he doesn't want to play anywhere else. Good luck getting that guy in the summer, I think you'll have as much chance of getting Ronaldo or Messi in the summer.

On top of that we are currently playing in a formation that suits 2 midfielders and not 3, what will you do with Mata, Kagawa, Rooney etc that could play as a number 10 ? Even if you wanted to convert to a 3 man midfield, if you sign Kroos and Carvalho you already have all the midfielders you need to play like that with Fellaini. The squad depth will come from Carrick, Cleverley and Fletcher (the club is not going to sell them and it be a complete wast to have them on the wagelist if you are never going to play them). In short there is no need for us to sign 3 midfielders, you can sign Kroos+Carvalho, you can sign Carvalho+Gundogan and you can sign Kroos+Gundogan but there is absolutley no reason to sign all 3 of them, its pure overkill !

Carrick is 32, Fletcher is 30 (both will need to be moved on eventually as age is catching up with them) do you suggest Manchester United keep this caliber of players given their age and also injury history (Fletcher?) do you see them winning games, against midfields like Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal?.

Kroos 24, Gundogan 23, Carvalho 22.

You have to refresh the squad, move on aging players who can't really contribute much to the team, we haven't bought the right midfielders in a long time bar Fellaini, I class Mata as a forward.

Mata and Rooney are "Forwards", Mata especially he does little defensively, look anywhere in Europe right now, the game is won in the midfield, then you have one quality forward, that's why RVP and Rooney doesn't work, the balance is completely wrong with the team.

Yet David Moyes has to compensate for the lack of the midfield this year, there is a lot to fix with an aging team, we need a midfielder that drives at players, one that can pass, and a defensive minded one, it's as simple as that, you can't prepare for a game against Stoke the same as Chelsea, you need different kinds of players in your squad.

Kagawa I very much doubt will be a Manchester United player next season, the same with Giggs, I can see Fletcher being moved on, Carrick I feel has a part to play.

A midfield 3 isn't exactly going to be a solution for each game, but what you do need is players who are flexible, can rotate, and be played in various systems.

The team used to mix age and experience, but now it's Carrick being paired with Cleverley, or Fletcher and Fellaini, it doesn't work the players do not work in tandem, there it's round pegs in square holes, how can you play players who don't compliment a play-style or don't help with the balance of the team? if the team doesn't strengthen defensively and in the midfield by the end of the year next year it won't be a title challenge, it'll be top four at best.

There's no dynamism to our play, Mata is not a midfielder anyway, he'll be adapted into a #10 with either RVP or Rooney up-top (can't have both) or Mata will be made into an inverted winger as a RW, as that would help his chances playing in the Spain national team too.

The only reason we are keeping Cleverley is to meet the quota of home-grown players, plus Gundogan, Kroos and Carvalho are all different types of players, just as Fellaini is, they all can play in the same systems as can any player, but it's finding the harmony between what the opponent brings to the table too, you need a squad of 4-6 players in midfield, and midfield is where you win games.

 

[Devil1]

Rotation and squad depth, aswell as the three being interchangable would be the reason for Gundogan too (gundogan offers an extra dimension to the play and is more "complete" as a box to box, where fellaini would be more of a mobile target-man and a danger of set pieces), aswell as being able to play 4 in midfield, 3 in other games, depending on the opponent, it's justified having Kroos, Gundogan and Carvalho, aswell as the likes of Fellaini rotating etc, the injury is a myth, Gundogan said it himself, it's internet speculation.

Spending the likes of £100M on those 3 wouldn't be a bad thing, it'd set us up for many seasons, investing heavily for the long haul, it would pay off.

Reus isn't really "unthinkable" if the right offer comes in, they'd sell.

I cannot see Gundogan as a realistic target. A player with a chronic injury which will inevitably sideline him for a large chunk of his career cannot be seen as a good investment.