Still no. No thanks for Matic and Perisic. But more happy with Lukaku than Morata.
Would you be happy with Lukaku, Matic, Lindelof and Perisic?
- Thread starter charlenefan
- Start date
Dont think we necessarily needed Lindelof tbh and on Lukaku i am 50-50.
We do need a dm and winger though. Not sure who though.
We do need a dm and winger though. Not sure who though.
I think if we signed Perisic and Fabinho, or 2 other players like them, the team will start to click and pieces will be joined together with our players complementing each other finally instead of the mess happening in the previous years.
Valencia providing width from the right flank with Mikhi drifting inside as a playmaker, Shaw and Perisic providing width on the left side as they are both good in dribbling with Perisic crossing the ball.
Fabinho and Herrera will do the defensive work in the field letting Pogba rush more forward without worrying and Herrera can complement in the attack well from deep positions through his through balls.
Lukaku will start finding crosses everywhere, Perisic, Valencia and Pogba, he'll get enough chances in front of the goal to score.
The only uncertainty about this team is if Shaw will finally be consistent or not + Pogba and Mikhi will need to rise their goal scoring numbers.
With the right setup, I think the team can very well click finally.
Again it's not dispensable that we get Perisic and Fabinho, any 2 players of the same kind will be fine for me, an anchor DMF and an out and out winger. That's why I said before that Matic won't be really a bad signing as well and will do the job asked for him pretty fine.
Perisic will be a very nice addition to the squad and will balance the team more than anyone expects but we need to get a good and reasonable deal for him or move on to another out and out winger.
De Gea
Valencia - Bailly - Lindelof - Shaw
Fabinho
Herrera - Pogba
Mikhi - Lukaku - Perisic
Subs : Romero - Jones - Blind - Fellaini - Mata - Rashford - Martial
Bailly and Lindelof complement each other pretty well with Bailly doing the dirty work while Lindelof helps in building the attack.Valencia - Bailly - Lindelof - Shaw
Fabinho
Herrera - Pogba
Mikhi - Lukaku - Perisic
Subs : Romero - Jones - Blind - Fellaini - Mata - Rashford - Martial
Valencia providing width from the right flank with Mikhi drifting inside as a playmaker, Shaw and Perisic providing width on the left side as they are both good in dribbling with Perisic crossing the ball.
Fabinho and Herrera will do the defensive work in the field letting Pogba rush more forward without worrying and Herrera can complement in the attack well from deep positions through his through balls.
Lukaku will start finding crosses everywhere, Perisic, Valencia and Pogba, he'll get enough chances in front of the goal to score.
The only uncertainty about this team is if Shaw will finally be consistent or not + Pogba and Mikhi will need to rise their goal scoring numbers.
With the right setup, I think the team can very well click finally.
Again it's not dispensable that we get Perisic and Fabinho, any 2 players of the same kind will be fine for me, an anchor DMF and an out and out winger. That's why I said before that Matic won't be really a bad signing as well and will do the job asked for him pretty fine.
Perisic will be a very nice addition to the squad and will balance the team more than anyone expects but we need to get a good and reasonable deal for him or move on to another out and out winger.
Lindelof, Lukaku, Perisic, Fabinho, and maybe a new left-back (Semedo?)
Always assumed (because of comments on here) that Semedo was a right back...
Always assumed (because of comments on here) that Semedo was a right back...
Primarily a right back. Can play a bit of both.
If our 4 signings are Lindelof, Lukaku, Perisic and Dier, I have no idea where our extra goals will come from next season.
Lukaku may replace most of the Zlatan goals. But simply replacing Zlatans goals only got us 6th. To title challenge we need more goals. Only thing I imagine is Dier would mean Pogba plays as a #10 and gets more goals
Lukaku may replace most of the Zlatan goals. But simply replacing Zlatans goals only got us 6th. To title challenge we need more goals. Only thing I imagine is Dier would mean Pogba plays as a #10 and gets more goals
Might want to change Matic to Dier in the thread title.
Neither do I
Zlatan missed a lot as well though, if Lukaku takes those chances then he'll replace Zlatan's goals and then some
We're obviously hoping for more of an output from the likes of Rashford, Martial and Mkhitaryan
no...
Less happy now we have Lukaku only because i'd think Morata would bring more flair. SO I think the unpredictablility would be lost... We could use a sanchez instead of perisic
Less happy now we have Lukaku only because i'd think Morata would bring more flair. SO I think the unpredictablility would be lost... We could use a sanchez instead of perisic
I'd be happy with the four signings. And by the looks of it there's a big chance of Persic being done. Matic has gone little quiet. Would be 4 solid signings and make us into a very physical and compact team I reckon. If we resigned Zlatan too it would be a successful summer imo
I have no idea why we're not in for Lemar, who looks like he could be bought for not much more than Perisic and is 7 years younger.
Lukaku, Lemar, Fabinho, Lindelof would be a good summer. 4 starters between 21 and 24 years old, and a solid enough squad for this year:
---------Lukaku----- (Rashford)
Mkhitaryan--Lemar (Martial, Mata, Lingard)
----Pogba-Herrera-- (Fellaini, Pereira)
-------Fabinho------ (Carrick)
Shaw-------Valencia (Darmian, Blind)
---Lindelof-Bailly--- (Rojo, Smalling, Jones)
------De Gea------- (Romero)
looks solid enough. Still need another CM to avoid tons of Fellaini time in all likelihood, maybe an LB to push Shaw, but the rest is quite talented and only Valencia needs replacing for age reasons in the next 3 years. If Shaw does well, we could go into next summer just needing a CM to cover Pogba and Herrera, an RB to push Valencia and then could spend the rest of our money on a moonshot bid at a star like Bale or Neymar or Dembele.
Perhaps that's precisely it, did you ever think Mourinho might not want that all the signings are young players and even starters? The team is already very young, averaging 25, and, for instance, our leftwinger is also very young, Martial, one of those players that would be destroyed if we signed a dead sure starter.
That would be a decent summer.
I'm not sure our defensive side would cut it, but as an attacking unit we look much better.
If you look at Monaco's team, every player is suited to his assigned role. There is no dispute. Mendy & Sidibe attack down the flanks, while Silva & Lemar, both mobile players, provide support. Silva & Lemar also move central to act as a bridge between midfield and attack. Behind them 2 CMs with strength and vigor that will fight hard for the cause. Up front, 2 agile strikers in Falcao and Mbappe.
The defense is the most vulnerable aspect, though, and I don't think they really play with a dedicated DM as such.
If you look at our team, there's only De Gea and Valencia whose position and role in the team is undisputed. We can now add Lukaku to that short list. 3 out of 11.
Real Madrid is an undisputed entity as well. Marcelo and Carvajal operate along the flanks. Casemiro behind Modric & Kroos, Isco/Asensio the bridge between midfield and attack, with Benzema & Ronaldo up front.
In contrast we have no idea how the team should even present. Some say we need a #10, some swear that we should have 3 in midfield, with Pogba the most advanced. Some want an all action midfielder some want a screen for the defence. Some want Herrera to stay at #6, others want him in a more advanced position.
Our team is just an endless variety of baffling opinions.
If we are getting a winger, would anyone besides me think bringing Zaha back would be a good move? We need a pacey RW that can take people on and he's been at the club before.
Maybe Mourinho could get the best out of him like he did with Robben at Chelsea.
Just an "out there" suggestion.
Maybe Mourinho could get the best out of him like he did with Robben at Chelsea.
Just an "out there" suggestion.
I personally wanted Zaha if we were going for a winger, unless we could get Willian which I highly doubted. But he recently penned a new deal, so he would be extremely expensive, combine that with being home grown and young... you get a decently expensive player. If we could get him for the same price as Perisic, Perisic is probably still the better option, Perisic's crossing is better than anyone on our team right now.
Yes its not perfect, but it will suit Lukaku and our attackers in general well.
Zaha is a far bigger threat in terms of beating his man. Only the likes of Messi and Hazard complete more dribbles. He recorded 147 successful take ons to Perisics 41, in their respective domestic leagues. Depends what you after really
Another player we let go and would be bringing back no thx
Things seem to have gone a bit meh since Lukaku was announced. Maybe pre-season beginning has dithered media outlets as well to speculate bullcrap as they tend to do!
Still pretty excited to see who else comes in!
It's much more important that our existing players gel better, much better than last season, though!
Still pretty excited to see who else comes in!
It's much more important that our existing players gel better, much better than last season, though!
After seeing last match, I think Lukaku offers a lot more than goals. The way he draws defenders towards him, leaves space for other players to thrive. This and the fact that players are more settled with each other, leads me to believe Rashford, Mikhi and Martial will contribute a lot more to our goal problem than they did last season.
Anyway, I'd be decently happy with those four. They are clearly what Mourinho wants and thinks will improve his vision of our team next season. I think Perisic will add a lot more directness to our attack and this will benefit Lukaku. Matic is not the most exciting signing, but I'm sure he'll get the job done for the team (which is sit back and let Pogba and Herrera do their thing).
Anyway, I'd be decently happy with those four. They are clearly what Mourinho wants and thinks will improve his vision of our team next season. I think Perisic will add a lot more directness to our attack and this will benefit Lukaku. Matic is not the most exciting signing, but I'm sure he'll get the job done for the team (which is sit back and let Pogba and Herrera do their thing).
The overwhelming reason we finished 6th was our attack. We only conceded 29 goals, I don't think having Lindelof and Matic last season would have made up the 24 point gap between us and top spot.
We'll give Lukaku the benefit of predicting he will replace Zlatan's goals, but we've only replaced what has left. Effectively the only thing we'll have added to our attack is Perisic. Is he the special player that takes our attack to the next level?
I'm happy to concede our finishing can't be as bad as it was last season, Martial can't be that shit again etc. So there's room for organic growth, I wouldn't be disappointed with those 4 signings. However I do have a similar feeling that I had at the start of 15/16 in Van Gaal's last season, when I looked at our squad I just didn't think we had the quality in attack to go all the way and win the league.
We'll give Lukaku the benefit of predicting he will replace Zlatan's goals, but we've only replaced what has left. Effectively the only thing we'll have added to our attack is Perisic. Is he the special player that takes our attack to the next level?
I'm happy to concede our finishing can't be as bad as it was last season, Martial can't be that shit again etc. So there's room for organic growth, I wouldn't be disappointed with those 4 signings. However I do have a similar feeling that I had at the start of 15/16 in Van Gaal's last season, when I looked at our squad I just didn't think we had the quality in attack to go all the way and win the league.
Looks like the Perisic move is happening with Inter potentially signing Balde Keita. We have plenty of options now. I think we're a Fabinho/Matic away from a well balanced squad capable of playing 3 formations.
De Gea
Valencia Bailly Lindelof Darmian
Herrera
Fellaini Pogba
Mkhitaryan Lukaku Perisic
De Gea
Valencia Bailly Lindelof Darmian
Herrera Pogba
Mata Mkhitaryan Perisic
Lukaku
De Gea
Bailly Lindelof Rojo
Herrera
Valencia Fellaini Pogba Perisic
Lukaku Rashford
Valencia Bailly Lindelof Darmian
Herrera
Fellaini Pogba
Mkhitaryan Lukaku Perisic
De Gea
Valencia Bailly Lindelof Darmian
Herrera Pogba
Mata Mkhitaryan Perisic
Lukaku
De Gea
Bailly Lindelof Rojo
Herrera
Valencia Fellaini Pogba Perisic
Lukaku Rashford
Perfectly sums up how I feel.
Yes. Even if we sign Perisic and Matic, and Lukaku replaces all of Zlatan's goals, we won't have a league winning attack. I'd bet almost anything against us winning the league.
There is a big difference in signing Lindelof and Lukaku imo.
Lukaku is a different 9 to Zlatan. Mourinho eluded to it himself, he runs about more and he doesn't need to drop deep as much. Naturally he'd drag defenders deeper and create pockets behind for midfielders to bag more goals.
Lindelof will aid in providing continuity in our back line. We had to chop and change our centre backs too many times last season and whilst we didn't conceed too many goals, continuity at the back is always a good thing.
I agree that we need more from our creative players in end product, but I think Lukaku aids towards that in a different manner to how Zlatan did.
Lukaku also is a more clinical striker than Zlatan. Zlatan had a goal to minutes ratio of 0.61 compared to Lukakus 0.68, which isn't that different. However he has missed 18 big chances and Lukaku has missed 8.
Imo Lukaku is more clinical than anyone in the league, not just Zlatan. In signing him we may get a similar amount of goals but we will also get a better chance conversion against the bottom feeders, which we sorely missed last season. And then you have the dragging defenders away point on top of it.
Are people forgetting that the likes of Pogba,Miki,Rashford and Baily will be much better players after having full seasons.Even Martial will be much better then last season.
And with the new signings to gel with them,I think we will have a cracking squad to fight for all the competitions.I think Perisic and Matic will be crucial signings and will give much needed balance to the squad.
And with the new signings to gel with them,I think we will have a cracking squad to fight for all the competitions.I think Perisic and Matic will be crucial signings and will give much needed balance to the squad.
Its a tricky situation where you dont want to buy too much and risk losing out on one of rashford/martial, both who have terrific potential and are continually improving. Could be that we give martial the chance and he takes it and turns into a top player like we know he can be. Then you dont want another striker who would only further limit rashfords time up top, which is the only position where he is actually good.
I agree in that we probably dont have enough for the title this season, even though i would expect miki and martial to play way better and be much more consistent. But im convinced griezmann will sign next summer, so him in addition to martial, lukaku, miki, and rashford/mata/lingard as squad players and suddenly our attack looks great.
De Goat
Valencia Bailly Lindelof Darmian
Matic Herrera
Mkhitaryan Pogba Perisic
Lukaku
I'm happy with that. Rashford and Martial will obviously be in there too.
Good points.... sometimes a player doesn't JUST bring his individual abilities but allows other bits to click. Think Cantona for example (not that I'm comparing as players).
The bold bit is key especially if we get a decent holding MF (wanted Fabinho but Chelsea have pissed on that by getting Bakayoko) ... Pogba needs to be 10 yards further up the pitch than last season and the combination of Lukaku keeping CHs busy and Pogba being freed from defensive duties should see a big improvement in terms of dictating games, assists and goals.
But in answer to the thread question.... maybe IF Matic is the decent Matic not 2016/17 Matic
We would have a pretty good team with some good players.
Of which maybe three would have been involved in the United squad of 2008. Or Real's current one.
Far from elite.
Of which maybe three would have been involved in the United squad of 2008. Or Real's current one.
Far from elite.
I would. I'm sad we couldn't get Griezmann and my irrational, muppet brain still wishes we could sign Sanchez, but I'm OK with small improvements who will buy into the manager's plan. I think most people are seriously underestimating the improvement we will see from some of our players this season, especially in attack.
Main disappointment on that list for me is Matic. I could live with us signing him, but I believe there is better out there.
Main disappointment on that list for me is Matic. I could live with us signing him, but I believe there is better out there.
If our summer spending ends up being Lukaku, Lindelof, Matic, Perisic, I would give that a D grade. Out of those 4, Lindelof is the only one I'm happy with as he's a ball playing CB with potential. Lukaku is a direct replacement for Ibrahimovic, and I don't think that he's a better overall player than Ibra. A better goalscorer perhaps and more mobile but worse in every other aspect. Perisic is just so meh as an attacking signing for a side in desperate need of quality in the final third. He'd be a decent squad player but he's not the player to give us the edge that we were missing last season. Matic already seems past his best, and not that good of a player anymore. Dier is the alternative, and he's just as meh. Not sure why we can't sign Fabinho or any other promising midfield talent.
Overall, it's shaping up to be a very disappointing transfer window for me personally. I thought we were going to sign Griezmann but that fell apart and it wasn't the club's fault, however, it was a big blow to our transfer window plans. Then we tried to sign Morata, who I would have been really happy with but that also fell apart. Lukaku is a good player but he's not the type of player I wanted us to sign. I don't doubt that he'll score a lot of goals for us but ultimately, the question is whether Lukaku can be a world class striker, and I don't think he can be. Perisic and Matic/Dier would just be mediocre signings. The other big thing in all this is that for all these signings, we're still spending a lot of money to sign these players. So it's a whole lot of money for players who I don't believe to be good enough for us.
Overall, it's shaping up to be a very disappointing transfer window for me personally. I thought we were going to sign Griezmann but that fell apart and it wasn't the club's fault, however, it was a big blow to our transfer window plans. Then we tried to sign Morata, who I would have been really happy with but that also fell apart. Lukaku is a good player but he's not the type of player I wanted us to sign. I don't doubt that he'll score a lot of goals for us but ultimately, the question is whether Lukaku can be a world class striker, and I don't think he can be. Perisic and Matic/Dier would just be mediocre signings. The other big thing in all this is that for all these signings, we're still spending a lot of money to sign these players. So it's a whole lot of money for players who I don't believe to be good enough for us.
What was wrong with Matic last season? He started pretty much every game in a title winning season for Chelsea. Matic's role in the team is to do the dirty work and allow players like Hazard to do their thing.
I keep on reading this and of course it may turn out to be right but Martial has just shown us how a good first season doesn't guarantee growth in the second. Rashford's development could stall completely, Mkhiaryan might be Kagawa mK II and Pogba could have an injury hit season.
Basically relying on everything turning around is a 'head in the clouds' hope and unlikely to happen IMO. And nobody ever considers that it's the same with other teams - Gabriel Jesus might storm the league, Sterling might start adding consistency and De Bruyne might win POTY etc...
I'm sure we'll get improved performances in some areas but I don't think it's enough to transform a 6th place team by itself.
still think we need somone who is likely to score 10-15 PL goals a season. Lukaku's goals can't be expected to win the title any more than Zlatan's didn't
That's why Lukaku AND Zlatan is the answer.
I have put that idea forward here before but had no reply...
Would you be happy with Lukaku, Matic, Lindelof and Perisic?
I mean I'll try and be optimistic but I would still feel like we are short of a serious title challenge.
- I would prefer Fabinho because he can deputise at RB provided cover for Valencia (who played far too many games last season) He needs help.
- I would prefer a R.Winger as opposed to a left, I think our right side is full of No.10's -Mkhitaryan, Mata even Lingard. All better no.10's than wingers in my opinion. Especially Lingard who gets a lot of stick but if you look at his career highlight reel you'll find his best moments come inside or just outside the box. None come out wide, he can't cross (which is what Lukaku would need) can't beat a man one on one if he was squaring up to a full back.
But he runs the channels, creating space and finds pockets of space as he comes inside.
- Also don't think we are very strong at RB-LB either.
I think this team needs traditional wingers. Like Perisic but I think the issue will come when we have no players staying wide stretching on one flank. Relying on TOny v to cross all the time is not ideal.
I'd prefer a winger who could actually both both flanks, I would've loved Douglas Costa for example. We were also linked with Willian. I think those would have been more suitable to give us more on the right side.
Lukaku's touch and link play is not great let's be honest. If we want him to score we need pace, power players staying wide and crossing the ball in accurately. He is joining a team whose corners are terrible and delivery into the box is almost non-existent. I can see why Jose wants Perisic, in terms of the profile and style of the player.
I Just hope for a good season. I don't want to be yoyo-ing for top 4 and then CL again. I want to see us challenge for the PL and not have to worry about top 4.
I mean I'll try and be optimistic but I would still feel like we are short of a serious title challenge.
- I would prefer Fabinho because he can deputise at RB provided cover for Valencia (who played far too many games last season) He needs help.
- I would prefer a R.Winger as opposed to a left, I think our right side is full of No.10's -Mkhitaryan, Mata even Lingard. All better no.10's than wingers in my opinion. Especially Lingard who gets a lot of stick but if you look at his career highlight reel you'll find his best moments come inside or just outside the box. None come out wide, he can't cross (which is what Lukaku would need) can't beat a man one on one if he was squaring up to a full back.
But he runs the channels, creating space and finds pockets of space as he comes inside.
- Also don't think we are very strong at RB-LB either.
I think this team needs traditional wingers. Like Perisic but I think the issue will come when we have no players staying wide stretching on one flank. Relying on TOny v to cross all the time is not ideal.
I'd prefer a winger who could actually both both flanks, I would've loved Douglas Costa for example. We were also linked with Willian. I think those would have been more suitable to give us more on the right side.
Lukaku's touch and link play is not great let's be honest. If we want him to score we need pace, power players staying wide and crossing the ball in accurately. He is joining a team whose corners are terrible and delivery into the box is almost non-existent. I can see why Jose wants Perisic, in terms of the profile and style of the player.
I Just hope for a good season. I don't want to be yoyo-ing for top 4 and then CL again. I want to see us challenge for the PL and not have to worry about top 4.
Expectations (however unrealistic) vs Reality:
Griezmann // Lukaku
Fabinho // Matic or Dier (probably)
any CB // Lindelof
Bernanrdo Silva // Perisic
This is really grim stuff, just like my life expectations vs reality.
Griezmann // Lukaku
Fabinho // Matic or Dier (probably)
any CB // Lindelof
Bernanrdo Silva // Perisic
This is really grim stuff, just like my life expectations vs reality.