I think we have the best squad but City have the best team.
Which of the Top 6 Teams Has the Strongest Squad for the 2017/2018 Season? Manchester United?
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United- very strong first xi, excellent back ups and will be even stronger with the return of Zlatan and Rojo. Could do with an attacking full back which we hopefully have in Shaw when hes fit.
Chelsea- Decent xi, still behind ours and not a lot of strength in depth.
City-embarrassing amount of attackers, but midfield and defence non-existant.
Tottenham- up there with the best for first xi's, but behind that they're mediocre.
Liverpool, excellent front 3 but the rest of the team are mediocre at best.
Overall, we've the best squad and should realistically win the league with the money we've spent.
Chelsea- Decent xi, still behind ours and not a lot of strength in depth.
City-embarrassing amount of attackers, but midfield and defence non-existant.
Tottenham- up there with the best for first xi's, but behind that they're mediocre.
Liverpool, excellent front 3 but the rest of the team are mediocre at best.
Overall, we've the best squad and should realistically win the league with the money we've spent.
You say City but do they have deep options in all positions? They might be able to rotate in the attacking positions, but if Kompany gets injured. If Walker or Mendy get an injury? We have great options all over.
Mendy's already had an injury with Danilo playing there.
City or Chelsea IMO.
You are correct.
I don't think we have great options at fullbacks either but our squad is a bit wider, I agree. They have more quality in the starting 11 though and even a better 18 man squad, if everybody's fit. That's why I think they are the best, overall.
I think our team is more balanced and flexible. I also trust our manager more. That's not relevant here though, as per the OP.
That is questionable in a starting 11, defense, GK, CM upfront, I say we much stronger. Would any of us swap DDG, valencia, Bailly, matic, pogba, mkhi, lukaku, even rashford and martial, so effective when one of these 2 come off the bench. The only true weakness in our starting 11, is LB, CB and maybe right handside, but other than that think you won't get much better than some of those united starting 11.
If united play in a big game
matic
herrera pogba
mkhi lukaku rashford/martial
I don't see any big team getting the better of that united midfield, and with mkhi being that slick outlet, we going to squeeze allot of teams, esp city don't have much at DM or CM. That's the difference between us and the rest, we have allot of flexibility in our formations, 352, 4231,433 we have allot of options to change systems
Most people rave and say City have the best 'squad' but I'm not sure I agree. I think they are still short a better CB, an additional full back and defensive midfielder. I believe in terms of squad that can challenge on all fronts, ours is probably just about the best. We generally have better cover per position than everyone else, on average. Obviously, if City were to avoid too many injuries then having a more rounded squad doesn't really matter as much as long as your opponents have their best quality available all the time.
As things stand...
United
All others simply pale in comparison.
United
All others simply pale in comparison.
Arsenal 6th. After that it's anyone's guess.
Chelsea. Then us, then City. Chelsea have more quality in their squad tbh, ours is just a bit bigger. We've got lots of average players, Lingard, Fellaini, Valencia, Young, Darmian, Carrick, Smalling. Fellaini is a good plan B though. I like our striker options but they've got more consistent quality on the wings, until Martial, Mkhi and Rashford can consistently pull it together, Pedro, Willian and Hazard are better options. Striking options is pretty close. I prefer Morata but there's not much difference. Defensively, I think we've got better centrebacks but a couple of duds in there too (Lindelof so far and Smalling). Rojo, Bailly and Jones are good, so are Cahill, Azpilicueta and Luiz. Rudiger a bit unknown but has seemed shaky. Fullbacks they win again, Moses and Alonso just far more productive (granted they play higher up). We have no offensive output from our fullbacks, so until at least Shaw gets back and hits some good form, they win in that regard too. Alonso is better than any of our fit LBs. Moses weaker defensively than Valencia but can at least beat a man and get the ball over the defenders head rather than hitting him in the shins. I prefer our starting midfield and think we've probably got deeper midfield options, so we win there.
City is obvious, their squad with regards to attackers is brilliant, but they've got barely any central midfielders and 4 centre backs whilst trying to play 3 atb. Shambles.
City is obvious, their squad with regards to attackers is brilliant, but they've got barely any central midfielders and 4 centre backs whilst trying to play 3 atb. Shambles.
City, but in the last 2 seasons it hasn't mattered much, Chelsea and Leicester barely had to use players outside their best XI on their way to the title.
There's little difference between ours, City's, and Chelsea at the moment. The only difference will be the manager who can galvanize his players to punch above their collective weight.
In order :
City
United
Chelsea
Spurs
Liverpool
Arsenal
City
United
Chelsea
Spurs
Liverpool
Arsenal
This is where city may come up short, not only against the bigger sides, but some of the good teams, they don't have a great midfield or defense, they play against a united side or some of the other big sides with matic, pogba, herrera, mkhi, they going to get overrun. Chelsea I think they have a thin squad, we have more to play with and can rotate 3 systems, and it also helps we gained more experience last year juggling europa league and PL, so the side is already built playing twice a week. The side is only 3 to 4 players short of getting to that standard where we all want to be at.
I just think DDG, bailly, matic, pogba, herrera, mkhi, rashford, martial and lukaku gives us that edge for the big games, and overall its just well drilled. I think our spine is what could make us the stand out side unless there is a big drop in performences from these guys. I have no clue how anyone thinks city are stronger with a very weak CM, its what killed us for the next few years between 2011-15
Manchester United.
Yes.
Yes.
Think we have the best squad, but probably not starting 11.
City and Liverpool are dodgy in the back.
Chelsea not really improved their first 11, but have a deeper squad than last year.
Spurs left it too late before they started buying, in my opinion. Good 11, not much depth.
Arsenal have a decent attack, but except from that everyone bar the gk plays in wrong position, might manage top 6.
Think United strongest overall, with City and Chelsea behind, Liverpool and Spurs 4th and 5th.
City and Liverpool are dodgy in the back.
Chelsea not really improved their first 11, but have a deeper squad than last year.
Spurs left it too late before they started buying, in my opinion. Good 11, not much depth.
Arsenal have a decent attack, but except from that everyone bar the gk plays in wrong position, might manage top 6.
Think United strongest overall, with City and Chelsea behind, Liverpool and Spurs 4th and 5th.
For that they don't come any bigger than Jose and Pep. Certainly Jose across different leagues. No excuses this season really even though Utd missed on their attacking winger.
Don't think there's much between City, Chelsea, and United. United have the best spine on paper but look the weakest of the 3 in wide areas in my opinion. City look the most vulnerable in the middle of the park. Chelsea are replacing key contributors from last year with younger players who have to learn the system and adapt to new roles, so there may be an adjustment period, and also have to deal with additional rigors of a European campaign. Spurs are just behind IMO; for me they lack any sort of plan B in attack as they have no real threat down the wings. Liverpool I'd have behind them as they are still completely average defensively, but on their day their attack is unplayable. Arsenal and Everton is honestly a toss-up at this point, it'll depend if Wenger figures out how to use his squad effectively (aka play Lacazette and use Ozil in a free role in the middle of the park in front of a structured midfield).
I think United will be able to bully teams a bit more effectively than City or Chelsea will to be honest, though you did struggle a bit against Leicester who sat slightly deeper than Swansea or West Ham (who somewhat bizarrely gave you ample space in their own half). I do think a proper winger would help you a lot, as all of your wide players at the moment prefer to move centrally and having the option to stretch defenses would be nice to have. I wouldn't be surprised to see this addressed in January possibly.
I think United will be able to bully teams a bit more effectively than City or Chelsea will to be honest, though you did struggle a bit against Leicester who sat slightly deeper than Swansea or West Ham (who somewhat bizarrely gave you ample space in their own half). I do think a proper winger would help you a lot, as all of your wide players at the moment prefer to move centrally and having the option to stretch defenses would be nice to have. I wouldn't be surprised to see this addressed in January possibly.
IMO, City has better fullbacks, attacking midfielders, wingers, and strikers than United.
Walker, Danilo and Mendy are better than Valencia, Darmian and Shaw.
De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva are better than Mkhitaryan and Mata.
Sterling and Sane are better than Martial and Lingard.
Aguero and Jesus are better than Lukaku and Rashford.
However United have a better goalkeeper, centerbacks and central midfielders.
De Gea is better than Ederson (but not by much, you guys will see soon enough how good he is).
Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Lindelof and Smalling are better than Otamendi, Stones and Mangala. Kompany is never fit these days.
Matic, Pogba and Herrera are better than Fernandinho, Toure and Gundogan.
Overall it's too close to call.
Walker, Danilo and Mendy are better than Valencia, Darmian and Shaw.
De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernardo Silva are better than Mkhitaryan and Mata.
Sterling and Sane are better than Martial and Lingard.
Aguero and Jesus are better than Lukaku and Rashford.
However United have a better goalkeeper, centerbacks and central midfielders.
De Gea is better than Ederson (but not by much, you guys will see soon enough how good he is).
Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Lindelof and Smalling are better than Otamendi, Stones and Mangala. Kompany is never fit these days.
Matic, Pogba and Herrera are better than Fernandinho, Toure and Gundogan.
Overall it's too close to call.
I agree. We have a stronger spine, but also a more cohesive team unit marshaled by a far more pragmatic manager.
Though I can't agree that either Sterling or Sane is better than Martial, or that this current incarnation of Aguero is more valuable than Lukaku. Jesus beats Rashford but in terms of end product come the end of the season, I don't see there being much between them.
Lingard is Lingard. Our Navas.
United. We've got a very well rounded team at the moment. With a couple more additions (winger and full back) we would have a complete squad.
Man City have the best squad...but they probably had the best squad last season, too.
Pep Guardiola was pretty bad last season and I am convinced he will under perform this year, too.
Pep Guardiola was pretty bad last season and I am convinced he will under perform this year, too.
I think we've got a better balanced squad than city but they've got more quality in attack. It's fairly close. Which is nigh on miraculous when you consider where our respective teams were just over a year ago.
Said it before, but United have the strongest squad in the league. Other teams may have better individual players, or a specific area of the team which is better, but United's first team plus the backups is the strongest.
United have to be in the conversation as a whole with the likes of Chelsea, City, and Spurs. I think Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton are behind for various reasons. Personally I think United will edge all of them because of the early season schedule. We don't play a top 6 side until 14th of Oct vs. Liverpool (though I think the Everton game will be a tough test as well.)
Meanwhile our top 6 rivals would have played:
Arsenal -Liverpool & Chelsea
City - Liverpool, Chelsea,
Chelsea - Spurs, Arsenal, City
Liverpool - Arsenal, City, United
Spurs - Chelsea
By that time we could have separated ourselves from the pack a little bit and the team itself will hopefully be playing very well.
Meanwhile our top 6 rivals would have played:
Arsenal -Liverpool & Chelsea
City - Liverpool, Chelsea,
Chelsea - Spurs, Arsenal, City
Liverpool - Arsenal, City, United
Spurs - Chelsea
By that time we could have separated ourselves from the pack a little bit and the team itself will hopefully be playing very well.
Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind (Darmian, Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw/Young)
------------Pogba, Matic (Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Pereira)
---Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial/Rashford (Lingard, Fellaini)
-------------Lukaku, (Zlatan, Rashford/Martial).
Green are Jose signings, all right down the middle (though Mkhitaryan can play wide).
We've reinforced the spine a lot. Herrera/Smalling/Lindelof/Rojo/Fellaini/Carrick. Three midfield options which might have been our best trio last season if Pogba were injured are now relegated to the role of back up. Also three centre back options. Rojo was our best CB last season, Smalling was our first choice CB under van Gaal and looked like one of the best CBs in the league at times, and Lindelof arrives with a lot of hype and expectation attached. These players are fighting to get into our starting XI. That's a great piece of squad building on Jose's behalf. But I can certainly see why Perisic would have made brilliant sense. We only have Lingard, Fellaini and whichever one of Martial/Rashford/Mata isn't playing as back up for attacking midfield places. Perisic would have added great depth in that spot. Up front we're threadbare until December. A lot hinges on keeping Lukaku fit which is why complaints of resigning Zlatan are hard to reconcile. If we didn't have the prospect of him returning at Christmas, we could have seriously struggled to field enough attacking players in the event of an injury crises.
We do need more depth up front, but the spine of that team is as good as (or perhaps better than) any in the league.
------------Pogba, Matic (Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Pereira)
---Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial/Rashford (Lingard, Fellaini)
-------------Lukaku, (Zlatan, Rashford/Martial).
Green are Jose signings, all right down the middle (though Mkhitaryan can play wide).
We've reinforced the spine a lot. Herrera/Smalling/Lindelof/Rojo/Fellaini/Carrick. Three midfield options which might have been our best trio last season if Pogba were injured are now relegated to the role of back up. Also three centre back options. Rojo was our best CB last season, Smalling was our first choice CB under van Gaal and looked like one of the best CBs in the league at times, and Lindelof arrives with a lot of hype and expectation attached. These players are fighting to get into our starting XI. That's a great piece of squad building on Jose's behalf. But I can certainly see why Perisic would have made brilliant sense. We only have Lingard, Fellaini and whichever one of Martial/Rashford/Mata isn't playing as back up for attacking midfield places. Perisic would have added great depth in that spot. Up front we're threadbare until December. A lot hinges on keeping Lukaku fit which is why complaints of resigning Zlatan are hard to reconcile. If we didn't have the prospect of him returning at Christmas, we could have seriously struggled to field enough attacking players in the event of an injury crises.
We do need more depth up front, but the spine of that team is as good as (or perhaps better than) any in the league.
City have the best squad in theory. At the moment, I think we have the best squad in actual use. We're closer to getting the most out of this team than Pep is to doing the same with them.
Nobody seems to remember Chelsea and Liverpool had no European demands last season. I don't see what they've done to make up for that.
They both have pissed off key players. Arsenal too and arguably City as well the way they are going on about Sánchez as if their forwards weren't up to it. Suing Arsenal
Spurs' stinginess and Wembley will also bite them in the arse.
I like the fact we showed confidence in our squad, José has that cocky spring in his step and there are no worrying board/fan issues.
Overall, can only see City, United and Chelsea (weaker, but they won by a margin) well placed to challenge for the title. Hopefully City's imbalance tilts it our way.
These kinder early fixtures could really help us set the pace and the depth in the squad should allow us to keep it throughout.
They both have pissed off key players. Arsenal too and arguably City as well the way they are going on about Sánchez as if their forwards weren't up to it. Suing Arsenal
Spurs' stinginess and Wembley will also bite them in the arse.
I like the fact we showed confidence in our squad, José has that cocky spring in his step and there are no worrying board/fan issues.
Overall, can only see City, United and Chelsea (weaker, but they won by a margin) well placed to challenge for the title. Hopefully City's imbalance tilts it our way.
These kinder early fixtures could really help us set the pace and the depth in the squad should allow us to keep it throughout.
Attack (includes attacking system as well as players like the wingers, attacking mids and strikers)
- City
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- United
- Spurs
- United
- City
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
- Spurs
- Arsenal
- United
- Spurs
- Chelsea
- City
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- United
- Chelsea
- Spurs
- Arsenal
- City
- Liverpool
Definitely agree with this assessment. Like I said, don't think there's much between United, City, and Chelsea. United have the strongest spine but look vulnerable down the flanks, both at fullback and I think you lack versatility in terms of your wide attacking options as there is no one there who will actually stay wide as opposed to moving centrally. Jose has always prioritised building from the centre out, which is probably wise, especially given the way he likes to set up a team tactically.
City on the other hand look most vulnerable in the centre of the park; I think they can be overrun in that zone in midfield and on top of that outside of Kompany their options at centre half are mediocre at best.
Chelsea meanwhile are very solid I'd say but have replaced important cogs with younger players who will have to adjust quickly to a new system and league. Much will hinge on Morata adapting to a lone striker role. The team will also have to show they can cope with the challenges of Europe as well; for all the stick our dealings have gotten it was never going to be easy to improve much on a side that finished with 93 points. Depth was always going to be the priority and frankly I think we've done reasonably well.
United showing early on that they can bully smaller teams is very encouraging from your perspective. I do think you could use a winger to come in to stretch play in the final third, since currently none of your attacking options offer that.
I think the difference between us, City and Chelsea is pretty small. It all boils down to the team spirit and manager, imo. In terms of players, we are pretty much evenly matched. Tottenham and Liverpool are a level below for sure, but their players will run through a brick wall for their respective managers. It will be an exciting season, no doubt.
Arsenal... Hah.
Arsenal... Hah.
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United and City have the best squad. United have a very balanced squad as opposed to City who have a very strong attack. Chelsea's title hopes will depend on injuries to key players (or rather lack of). Think it'll be between us, Chelsea and City this time. Pool's attack is amazing, but they have a shite defence. And Spurs seem to be struggling at their new home. Arsenal are Arsenal.
While we have solid depth and quality in midfield and defense, our attacking options still worry me. Lukaku, Rashford, Martial, Mkhi, Mata and Lingard. That's just 6 options for 4 very important positions( at least until Zlatan returns), this is a area of concern for me and something that stops us from being the best squad in the league.
Had our starting 11 in the last game come down with explosive diarrhea an hour before kickoff, this would be the 11 we could possibly field:
Romero
Darmien Smalling Lindelof Shaw
Lingard Herrera Carrick Fellaini Young
Rashford
I think it's as good an 11 as any other team can send out under the same situation. And this is without Rojo and Zlatan.
Romero
Darmien Smalling Lindelof Shaw
Lingard Herrera Carrick Fellaini Young
Rashford
I think it's as good an 11 as any other team can send out under the same situation. And this is without Rojo and Zlatan.
English Premier League is a football contest where 20 teams play against each other every year and Liverpool doesn't win it.
The bigger point is we have Mourinho. And to top it, this is his second season. He has what he needs. He will deliver. I think Mourinho is the best manager in the PL. Followed by Pochettino. I have serious doubts about Pep. Conte's got his panties in a bunch. And this is the season Mourinho will finally defeat a Klopp side. Game on!
Yeah, I agree with this.