I just think a United midfielder should be better at passing the ball, especially for what he would cost. There definitely are players who are defensively sound and good passers. I agree that we should look for players that compliment each other in midfield though.
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I just think a United midfielder should be better at passing the ball, especially for what he would cost. There definitely are players who are defensively sound and good passers. I agree that we should look for players that compliment each other in midfield though.
Update observation. United definitely need a new top CB. A complete beast. Both with top acceleration and hard to beat one on one. And of course solid in the air too.
And i get the feeling United need a top RW more that a CF. In this case Sancho vs Haaland. If only pick one. I would pick Sancho. But the ideal and greedy mind. I would love to have both. Why Sancho over Haaland. Because i see Greenwood as CF in the mould of Van Persie and because of the extend one year of Cavani.
Compare Diallo. Really promising, but I don’t think he is ready to play regular as RW next season. And with Sancho as RW. Then you can move Greenwood as a CF option. Specialized Greenwood as a CF.
And last United need a top nr.8. United need a world class Paul Scholes. United haven’t win the league after Scholes and Sir Alex retirement.
There are Pogba or Bruno. Internally can solve the problems and need. Until the then. If United find a new Scholes or Bruno can reach Scholes level as nr.8. Then I think United will be good enough to win premier league. There was a clear and obvious reason why Sir Alex talked and convinced Paul Scholes to made a comeback and out of retirement. Then but of Sir Alex and Scholes retired at the top.
Sum up.
A top RW
A top CB
A top nr.8
Goalkeeper? Henderson and De Gea. Henderson doesn’t give me good confidence, that he is top goalkeeper. De Gea on his late career. I would try to swap Henderson for Villas Martinez.
Two clearly must have positions. RW + CB
If Paul Pogba or Bruno can reach Paul Scholes top consistent level. I think Bruno can. But Scholes was a genius on the pitch and top level. Even Iniesta said Scholes was one of the best CM. From another top LCM in Iniesta. You know how really good and important Scholes was for United. Scholes Vision, skills creative and football head is needed.
And goalkeeper. Maybe not must. But at this moment. Martinez from Aston Villa is clearly a better goalkeeper than De Gea and Henderson. And United as a top club. Always try to get the best players in each positions. To strength and make United better as a team. Always improvement.
There are only two matches left of the season. I think and believe what United need most.
But in the end. I got mine eyes first time in my life this season. I am afraid I will category Leeds Raphinha to must buy player. Every time I have watched. Raphinha really impress me.
In the ideal world it would be like this
Raphinha - Bruno - McTom - Sancho + Greenwood - Rashford
A potential future top 6 combination for United.
Adding Raphinha and Sancho on the wide side. It will be really hard to stop those 6 combination.
Raphinha had a good playing understanding with Bruno back in Lisboa. Adding with Sancho. Both of the will make life easier for United two CF upfront. Consistent top level service.
And i get the feeling United need a top RW more that a CF. In this case Sancho vs Haaland. If only pick one. I would pick Sancho. But the ideal and greedy mind. I would love to have both. Why Sancho over Haaland. Because i see Greenwood as CF in the mould of Van Persie and because of the extend one year of Cavani.
Compare Diallo. Really promising, but I don’t think he is ready to play regular as RW next season. And with Sancho as RW. Then you can move Greenwood as a CF option. Specialized Greenwood as a CF.
And last United need a top nr.8. United need a world class Paul Scholes. United haven’t win the league after Scholes and Sir Alex retirement.
There are Pogba or Bruno. Internally can solve the problems and need. Until the then. If United find a new Scholes or Bruno can reach Scholes level as nr.8. Then I think United will be good enough to win premier league. There was a clear and obvious reason why Sir Alex talked and convinced Paul Scholes to made a comeback and out of retirement. Then but of Sir Alex and Scholes retired at the top.
Sum up.
A top RW
A top CB
A top nr.8
Goalkeeper? Henderson and De Gea. Henderson doesn’t give me good confidence, that he is top goalkeeper. De Gea on his late career. I would try to swap Henderson for Villas Martinez.
Two clearly must have positions. RW + CB
If Paul Pogba or Bruno can reach Paul Scholes top consistent level. I think Bruno can. But Scholes was a genius on the pitch and top level. Even Iniesta said Scholes was one of the best CM. From another top LCM in Iniesta. You know how really good and important Scholes was for United. Scholes Vision, skills creative and football head is needed.
And goalkeeper. Maybe not must. But at this moment. Martinez from Aston Villa is clearly a better goalkeeper than De Gea and Henderson. And United as a top club. Always try to get the best players in each positions. To strength and make United better as a team. Always improvement.
There are only two matches left of the season. I think and believe what United need most.
But in the end. I got mine eyes first time in my life this season. I am afraid I will category Leeds Raphinha to must buy player. Every time I have watched. Raphinha really impress me.
In the ideal world it would be like this
Raphinha - Bruno - McTom - Sancho + Greenwood - Rashford
A potential future top 6 combination for United.
Adding Raphinha and Sancho on the wide side. It will be really hard to stop those 6 combination.
Raphinha had a good playing understanding with Bruno back in Lisboa. Adding with Sancho. Both of the will make life easier for United two CF upfront. Consistent top level service.
I wish we could get Varane, Sancho & someone who is a better passing CDM than him
Really like Martinez but Dean won't leave when he is getting over £100k a week at Utd
Henderson will leave if he isn't #1. He may not be good enough to play for us long term. But by all accounts, he's very driven to be the best he can be and won't want to be back up.
One of Ole's biggest conundrums right now is how to fit Rashford and Pogba in, and it's all well and good talking about rotation but star players on huge wages don't sit out many games. Pogba in the double pivot is never going to be sustainable, on the ball he can provide the passing but he doesn't get around the pitch well enough off the ball and never looks happy. With Rashford his biggest issue at LW is he's greedy in the final 3rd, but it's by far his best position, he's not a good #9 and he is often anonymous at RW.
Pogba still hasn't signed a new deal so if he intends to go then a swap with Juve or Real remains our best option, even though I'll be sad to see him go.
(If Pogba goes to Juve)
(If Pogba goes to Real Madrid)
I have watched Bentancur this season. And I can guarantee you that you won't like him if you don't even rate McFred.
One of his example to sums up his season:
He has high work rate though but so does McFred.
This sums up what frustrates me so much with Fred especially. Thing like "he works hard for the team, great energy, gets stuck in, covers ground well, covers runners" etc etc etc. Buy he is palying for one of the best clubs in the world. We can say all those things about the likes of Keane, Ince, Robson, even Hargreaves..............but they could actually play as well, were good with the ball, could pass well over 10yards, could drive forward, coudl defend.
Obviously finding players as good as them is very very difficult, but we should be expecting far more from our midfielders than we have been getting for several years now. Despite the improvements both Fred and McTominay have made, a lot of there play on the ball is seriously lacking in quality and I dont buy into this "they are in a pivot that isnt there job" nonsense. In fact inthe modern game of possesion football, its even more important. I know "the grass isnt always greener" argument, NDOmbele for example hasnt done great this season at SPurs despite looking a huge talent in France, but I think there are just so so many midfielders and young ones at that, that are so much better than both of them
All players have a stinker but fact is we could only get him if Pogba wanted to go to Juve and we need to get a player out of the deal, and I think if Pogba goes it's most likely going to be to Real Madrid. My first choice would be to get Locatelli and Camavinga and keep Pogba to play LM, but everybody wants Sancho.
We need more Bruno & Cavani type of signings in my opinion. Top talent, top character & attitude all together.
Some candidates:
Kounde looks like one of the top talent players with top character & attitude everytime I watch him, he seems to be so passionate with what he does.
Rice is actually could be the candidate as top character & attitude, he's West Ham's vice captain.
Kessie seems to have top talent in him and also lot of Milan fans been calling him to be their new captain since both Romagnoli & Donnarumma are likely to leave.
Harry Kane is already a world class player and a leader.
Some candidates:
Kounde looks like one of the top talent players with top character & attitude everytime I watch him, he seems to be so passionate with what he does.
Rice is actually could be the candidate as top character & attitude, he's West Ham's vice captain.
Kessie seems to have top talent in him and also lot of Milan fans been calling him to be their new captain since both Romagnoli & Donnarumma are likely to leave.
Harry Kane is already a world class player and a leader.
Stinker is a few games not the whole season mate.
First priority should be central midfield, then RW then centre back. We don’t have a midfield that can get close to city at the moment. Attacking wise we are pretty good but Sancho would be great for RW. It’s annoying English players are still so expensive, there are a lot more good ones now so you’d hope the price would drop as per supply and demand. I was initially not sure and think his passing is overrated but I think Rice would be an upgrade. Over £50m though f that. I’m sure there’s a player on the continent could play the same level for £20m less.
Personally I would take signing a less well known CDM IF we could somehow get Varane & Sancho
It feels like the 'Sancho' affair will happen and he'll join. Before or after the Euros? Well, who knows?
We can't secure top quality for all three positions (RW, CDM, CB) that require upgrade and we also need a back-up RB, unless Ole's happy with what Brandon brings to the team.
It would be silly to try and guess which players we'll bring, but I'm sure 2 of 3 will be ticked. In my opinion a midfielder is more urgent. A Carrick/Kante/Fernandinho/Busquets type.
We can't secure top quality for all three positions (RW, CDM, CB) that require upgrade and we also need a back-up RB, unless Ole's happy with what Brandon brings to the team.
It would be silly to try and guess which players we'll bring, but I'm sure 2 of 3 will be ticked. In my opinion a midfielder is more urgent. A Carrick/Kante/Fernandinho/Busquets type.
After watching Tielemans for Leicester in the cup final I wonder if we could do with someone with a similar skillset at CDM
I would be thrilled IF we could secure top quality (Varane & Sancho) and as I have already said before would take a prospect CDM on the continent for a reasonable price if that ever became a reality but certainly not optimistic
We need a DM, RW and CB to near a complete team but even if we manage to find long term solution to 2 of the 3, I'll be delighted
Bingo. We all want everything fixed but quality is what matters. Genuine quality wherher it costs 20 million or 80 million. No point in getting in another Dan James or VDB just to get business done. Our next few moves need to be like Liverpool's title winning signings when they got Salah, VVD, Fabinho etc just spot on. Although we need fewer we need to get the standard of player right.
Hence absolutely give me Sancho and the right CM/CB and we've made huge strides.
What we need is for United to really go for it - the fact is we will never get a better chance to sign players than in this window. There are so many desperate clubs out there who need to sell to keep their heads above water. If there ever was a time to have a net spend of £150-200 million this is it. OGS should tell the owners and the board - back me now, and I wont ask for a lot of backing next summer.
What will happen is this - in 15 months when the 22/23 season starts, we could have a lot of talented youngster who are ready to at least be a part of the first-team squad - Laird, Garner, Hannibal, Shoretire, Elanga, Diallo to name some - so if we do our job in this window, the 1 or 2 players we need in 2022 can be financed by selling 4-5 fringe players. We wont need any new squad players - so we can go for top-tier only.
But it requires that we get at least 4 maybe 5 players in this window - when the prices will be much lower.
Jaden Sancho, a new central defender, a right back to cover for AWB, at least one new central midfielder (I assume we can't afford Haaland or Kane this summer)
What would the cost be - Sancho £75-80 million, a central defender about £50-60 million, a right-back should be possible to pick up for £15-20 million and £50 million for a central midfielder - that is around £200 million - and we should be able to raise at least half of that by off-loading 4-5 squad players like Lingard, Dalot, Andreas, one of the goalies + Tuanzebe. Maybe even Williams who in my opinion isn't good enough.
So whatever happens with the Glazers - I really hope they back OGS with at least a net spend of £100m + in this window - because this is the summer to do it.
What will happen is this - in 15 months when the 22/23 season starts, we could have a lot of talented youngster who are ready to at least be a part of the first-team squad - Laird, Garner, Hannibal, Shoretire, Elanga, Diallo to name some - so if we do our job in this window, the 1 or 2 players we need in 2022 can be financed by selling 4-5 fringe players. We wont need any new squad players - so we can go for top-tier only.
But it requires that we get at least 4 maybe 5 players in this window - when the prices will be much lower.
Jaden Sancho, a new central defender, a right back to cover for AWB, at least one new central midfielder (I assume we can't afford Haaland or Kane this summer)
What would the cost be - Sancho £75-80 million, a central defender about £50-60 million, a right-back should be possible to pick up for £15-20 million and £50 million for a central midfielder - that is around £200 million - and we should be able to raise at least half of that by off-loading 4-5 squad players like Lingard, Dalot, Andreas, one of the goalies + Tuanzebe. Maybe even Williams who in my opinion isn't good enough.
So whatever happens with the Glazers - I really hope they back OGS with at least a net spend of £100m + in this window - because this is the summer to do it.
Would like to bring in
Varane
Sancho
Prospect CDM
Trippier
Find it highly unlikely that we are going to sign FOUR players in one window though and you could argue there are legitimate concerns about whether Deano can step up on a regular basis
Varane
Sancho
Prospect CDM
Trippier
Find it highly unlikely that we are going to sign FOUR players in one window though and you could argue there are legitimate concerns about whether Deano can step up on a regular basis
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We are desperate for a WC DM. No idea whom though.
Verratti although can't see him leaving PSG and some feel he wouldn't suit the pace of Premier League
It all very much depends on the Pogba situation , because if he leaves I think we’ll go for a more better and more progressive box to box. If he stays we might go for a more pure DM.
So that might be why I think CB will be our first priority this summer.
So that might be why I think CB will be our first priority this summer.
I agree, but our scouting needs to be top notch if we are to sign a CB and a CDM for 100m combined. Rice would cost at least 70m, Kounde ca 60m, just to give two examples. Another issue is that both our goalies are on crazy wages, so not easy to sell, lex Sanchez.
I think with Cavani staying at the club for another season, should mean it puts the striker acquisition to bed for another season. So IMO, if we can sign 3 players to improve the squad, then that should potentially improve us considerably in theory going into next season.
But I think what's important is for Solskjaer to understand how much money he has to spend. So if he has a £100m to spend, then we need to target 3 players within the allocated budget IMO, or else we'll be saying he wasn't backed after blowing a huge sum on a singular target. Fergie for example wanted David Hirst but had to settle for Eric Cantona and also wanted Alan Shearer but settled for Sheringham.
So you have £100m to spend and we need to improve the defence, midfield and attack with 3 players. In such a scenario I would personally look to sign players who are showing high potential at clubs where the price might be reasonable. There's players like Camavinga at Rennes who is coming into the final year of his contract, which could prove to be a very shrewd move for someone due to the potential low cost of a deal.
I know many won't agree, but with a £100m to spend, if we spent it on Loic Bade(£20m), Aurelien Tchouameni(£30m), Camavinga(£35m) then that in theory would improve us alot IMO. I'm sure there would also be melt downs aplenty but I'd look forward to the season with great optimism.
But I think what's important is for Solskjaer to understand how much money he has to spend. So if he has a £100m to spend, then we need to target 3 players within the allocated budget IMO, or else we'll be saying he wasn't backed after blowing a huge sum on a singular target. Fergie for example wanted David Hirst but had to settle for Eric Cantona and also wanted Alan Shearer but settled for Sheringham.
So you have £100m to spend and we need to improve the defence, midfield and attack with 3 players. In such a scenario I would personally look to sign players who are showing high potential at clubs where the price might be reasonable. There's players like Camavinga at Rennes who is coming into the final year of his contract, which could prove to be a very shrewd move for someone due to the potential low cost of a deal.
I know many won't agree, but with a £100m to spend, if we spent it on Loic Bade(£20m), Aurelien Tchouameni(£30m), Camavinga(£35m) then that in theory would improve us alot IMO. I'm sure there would also be melt downs aplenty but I'd look forward to the season with great optimism.
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Yeah think there would be much more talk of signing a midfielder strong on the ball IF Pogba was leaving
Good points. I think Ole has always targeted the season after next. A combo of org restructuring, chopping off deadwood/lowering the wage burden, getting a type of United DNA players incl grooming the academy.
Plus the ageing scousers will have to re-load from this coming season onwards. That's our window of opportunity. City constantly reloads so it would be a mid-term target to catch up with them.
The question for the Glazers will be -- despite losing £100M last calendar year, will they pony up the ££ to compete as per the initial proposal by Ole 18 months ago?
It's hard to come this time of the year, think of this question again, and answer somehow with the same answers - bar the difference in names. As mentiones plenty over here we are one defender, one midfielder, one atacker away to be able to compete for the big trophies. That's a lot to ask if you mind how bad we do transfers, and that is not magically going to change this summer. I sure hope I'm proved wrong but we gotta wait and see for that.
That said, we're dependant on how lucky we are offloading players, freeing up funds and squad space that we know we have surplus: Pereira, one of the keepers, Dalot, Jones, James (this is my personal opinion, I know James is not going anywhere at the moment, sadly), Matic, Mata. Also the likes of Pogba will determine the real options we'd have coming the summer. My personal choice will be Sancho, Bissouma, and the new Ruben Dias (frankly I still can't come up with someone that fit that bill, but what Dias brought to Citeh this season is just what I feel we're lacking in our back line).
That said, we're dependant on how lucky we are offloading players, freeing up funds and squad space that we know we have surplus: Pereira, one of the keepers, Dalot, Jones, James (this is my personal opinion, I know James is not going anywhere at the moment, sadly), Matic, Mata. Also the likes of Pogba will determine the real options we'd have coming the summer. My personal choice will be Sancho, Bissouma, and the new Ruben Dias (frankly I still can't come up with someone that fit that bill, but what Dias brought to Citeh this season is just what I feel we're lacking in our back line).
.We ain't gonna win the league with our current midfield options, whether we sign Sancho or not.
Rice is not the player we need - I like Rice, but I can't see a midfield with him and McTominay. We need a player who is really skilled with the ball at his feet....we can't sign another dog chasing the ball. One of those is enough.
As for defenders - Varane wont cost much over £50 million - Pau Torres will probably cost less - so it's perfectly possible. But we should not get our 3rd choice to save £10 million - with Cavani staying and Haaland staying at Dortmund (and Kane being too expensive) - we will save well over £100 million by not signing a striker so we should easily be able to afford a quality CD and CM by offloading 3-4 players
Great Post. Unfortunately I think you are right with Cavani staying at the club will mean we will not be in the hunt for another striker this season, which I think will be a massive mistake.
Obviously at 34 he won't be starting every game and I think without him we struggle a lot. We have no focal point or anyone to hold it up with their back to goal and bring other players in. Greenwood, Rashford and Martial are not CFs who can be relied on and all prefer playing out wide to cut in.
Think we are crying out for another world class CF if we are going to compete for the title, along with a CDM and CB as many have already stated. RW I think Greenwood/Diallo/James will get the playing time next season. Don't see James leaving as I think Ole likes to bring him on for his pace when trying to finish teams off.
I think Ole wants Haaland next year so we'll probably hold out in the hope that Solskjaer can persuade him to choose us over the rest. There's also reports in The Athletic today about Harry Kane wanting out at Spurs.
I'd be happy with either of those 2. I can't see Haaland coming realistically. He has his choice of any club in the world more than likely. Kane, more realistic but the fee involved would be absolute crazy. Depends on how much the board are prepared to splash out.
I can't say I've ever seen Bade or Tchouameni play. Camavinga looks great though but would you not be worried we'd spent a lot of money on young players who might take time to settle, and not help with our immediate needs?
Tbh with you mate, I've had these worries for several years now. I've got to a point now where I want the club to sign players with a long term view. You're right that the 3 players I mention are very young and inexperienced and maybe we can mix it up and add a more established player in there for balance. But to topple this current City team, I think we need to adopt a shrewd approach in the transfer market, because they're (City) backed by a state with a bottomless pit of money as we all know. And to challenge for the league we don't necessarily have to break the bank for most players IMO.
I feel if we can improve our build up phase to a high level by adding a quality CB along with a quality addition in midfield, we will go a long way to challenging for the league. I think the team is shaping up really well and the production line in the u23s and below is also gonna give us very good options. I just hope we don't blow the majority of our budget on one player. Because I honestly believe without improving the first phase of the build we can't challenge for the league. So the upcoming window is very important and I'm hoping we come out of it smiling at the end.
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All fair points.
I am also hesitant about paying huge money for Rice who is a CDM, which McTominay is not, but limited technical ability.
Any idea who this player might be? Bellingham, Camavinga or Lucarelli are being mentioned. The first two will cost more than 60m.
Poch? He‘s turning PSG into the French Spurs.
Did you mean Locatelli as saw him linked with City earlier in the season, do think Bellingham could well join us later on down the line like I think could well be happening with Jadon this summer
Yes, Locatelli is his name. At Sassoulo Italy.
What about Rice-Pogba for the double pivot Fred and Mct to rotate or reinforce de defensive side of it?
I feel sorry for Ole, even if we have our best transfer window in years he's still going to be taking on City, .Liverpool and Chelsea with holes in the team.
I think his wages will almost certainly see De Gea go along with his buddy Mata and Matic. Lingard will be sold and I think we'll have to sell Pogba if he doesn't sign a new deal.
West Ham are going to price Rice out of a move imo and since we'll only get 1 midfielder then we're stuck with 1 of McFred starting most games, probably McTominay as he seems to be one of Ole's favourites, so we definitely need a passer in there.
I think his wages will almost certainly see De Gea go along with his buddy Mata and Matic. Lingard will be sold and I think we'll have to sell Pogba if he doesn't sign a new deal.
West Ham are going to price Rice out of a move imo and since we'll only get 1 midfielder then we're stuck with 1 of McFred starting most games, probably McTominay as he seems to be one of Ole's favourites, so we definitely need a passer in there.