While we made a great start to the window, I fear that our incoming business may be done. If that's the case, then I hope Jose has a good Plan B with his existing resources
For me there are three priorities (in order of significance)
- 1) Attacking Right
- 2) Right Back
- 3) Centre Back
1) Attacking Right
Our main problem last year and a big reason for our stunted attack. We generally used Mata out of position, who unfortunately has few elite traits that you'd expect of a winger (pace, dribbling and getting crosses in).
What made it worse, is that he'd drift in and play as an attacking mid, leaving a huge gap that Valencia struggled to fill (he can't take playing as a wing back now) and disjointed our main attacks down the left. Overall this made it far easier for the opppsition to defend as we could not stretch play
Plan B Solution - We've tried Lingaard there to no avail (he's limited as a winger), while Rashford was not particularly convincing. Unless Chong is going to suddenly mature as a regular starter, then I think our best option is to switch Sanchez to the right and use Martial/ Rashford on the left
2) Right Back
Unfortunately Valencia has declined significantly and just does not have the pace to get down the flanks and take people on like he use to (at least not consistently in a demanding season).
Solving the attacking right mitigates this as there would be less attacking demands on Valencia, but I still believe he needs to be phased out
Plan B Solution - I dont think Dalot will be ready to be a regular starter, while I don't like using Centre Backs as makeshift right backs (due to attacking requirements), so my preference would be to switch Young to the right and hope Shaw or Demetri Mitchell can deliver at Left Back
3) Centre Back
Perhaos our best ever CB pairing under Jose (Rojo and Jones) are unfortunately sick notes and as a consequence have hit their ceiling in ability. They can't be relied on even when fit and I want them sold to make way from promising youngsters to serve as cover for the first choice pairing
Bailley and Smalling are perhaps our best pairing based on individual performances last year, but unfortunately I think Smalling is limited as a top class defender, while Bailley is still inconsistant. Lideloff, TFM and Tunzebe all have great potential, but are yet to be fully proven
Plan B - While I'd like an experienced defender who can lead the back line and is comfortable on the ball, we could potentially create a solid pairing out of the above options. Bailley and TFM would be my preference, given their individual balance of athleticism, mental streght and technical skills.
Based on the above my 'Plan B' line-up.if our transfer strategy fails is as follows
De Gea
Young, TFM, Bailley, Shaw
Fred, Matic, Pogba
Sanchez, Lukkaku, Rashford
Regular rotations of:
Lideloff, Dalot, Mitchell, McTom, Lingaard, Martial and fingers crossed, Chong
Darmian, Jones, Rojo and Mata would be heading the exit list for various reasons
