Which of the Top 6 Teams Has the Strongest Squad for the 2017/2018 Season? Manchester United?

To compare squads while abstracting from managers and tactics isn't very smart. A given squad may be nothing special when used in one way and very good when utilized in another way.

I think United have more depth than the other teams but in terms of star players isn't superior to Chelsea and City.Only the first XI wise, Chelsea, United and City are pretty even, IMO. Probably Spurs too.
 
It's either us or City. We're one left back away from being as good as anyone.
 
United's attack:

Lukaku
Ibrahimovic
Mkhitaryan
Rashford
Martial
Mata
Lingard

City's attack:

Aguero
Jesus
Sane
Sterling
Bernardo Silva
David Silva
De Bruyne

In my book, United have the stronger attack. I'd rather have Ibra and Rom over Aguero and Jesus. I'd rather have Mkhi, Martial and Mata over KDB and the Silva's. And I'd easily rather have Rashford over Sterling.
 
Jaybomb said:
United's attack:

Lukaku
Ibrahimovic
Mkhitaryan
Rashford
Martial
Mata
Lingard

City's attack:

Aguero
Jesus
Sane
Sterling
Bernardo Silva
David Silva
De Bruyne

In my book, United have the stronger attack. I'd rather have Ibra and Rom over Aguero and Jesus. I'd rather have Mkhi, Martial and Mata over KDB and the Silva's. And I'd easily rather have Rashford over Sterling.
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Its funny how fans view other people's teams. I think Lukaku suits Utd more than City so I get that, but otherwise I wouldn't swop any of the City players you mention for the United ones. I like Martial and Rashford but am astonished by your preference for MMM over KDB and the Silva's. Sterling/Rashford I understand your viewpoint but I would still rather have Sterling. My blue-tinted glasses versus your red-tinted glasses I guess.
 
el magico said:
Its funny how fans view other people's teams. I think Lukaku suits Utd more than City so I get that, but otherwise I wouldn't swop any of the City players you mention for the United ones. I like Martial and Rashford but am astonished by your preference for MMM over KDB and the Silva's. Sterling/Rashford I understand your viewpoint but I would still rather have Sterling. My blue-tinted glasses versus your red-tinted glasses I guess.
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It's a lot to do with who we watch every week. You see more of City than i do and I see more of United than you do.
 
Jaybomb said:
United's attack:

Lukaku
Ibrahimovic
Mkhitaryan
Rashford
Martial
Mata
Lingard

City's attack:

Aguero
Jesus
Sane
Sterling
Bernardo Silva
David Silva
De Bruyne

In my book, United have the stronger attack. I'd rather have Ibra and Rom over Aguero and Jesus. I'd rather have Mkhi, Martial and Mata over KDB and the Silva's. And I'd easily rather have Rashford over Sterling.
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The only way we have a stronger attack than city is if you measure it by physical strength.
 
Jaybomb said:
United's attack:

Lukaku
Ibrahimovic
Mkhitaryan
Rashford
Martial
Mata
Lingard

City's attack:

Aguero
Jesus
Sane
Sterling
Bernardo Silva
David Silva
De Bruyne

In my book, United have the stronger attack. I'd rather have Ibra and Rom over Aguero and Jesus. I'd rather have Mkhi, Martial and Mata over KDB and the Silva's. And I'd easily rather have Rashford over Sterling.
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Shouldn't Pogba be in the United list? He has been playing as further upfront as De Bruyne this season.
 
Here's how I see the relative strength of top 6 as of now (I wanted to post a proper table but this editor is so crap, it's "Insert HTML code" feature does not work at all):

GK: ManUtd>Chelsea=Arsenal>ManCity=Tottenham>Liverpool
Defence: Chelsea=Tottenham>ManUtd>ManCity=Liverpool=Arsenal
Midfield: ManUtd=Chelsea>Liverpool=Tottenham>ManCity>Arsenal
Attack: ManCity>Liverpool>Chelsea=Tottenham>ManUtd=Arsenal
Bench: ManCity>ManUtd=Liverpool=Tottenham=Chelsea>Arsenal
Manager: Chelsea=ManUtd=Liverpool=Tottenham>ManCity>Arsenal

There are a few more things that have impact on how squads perform - atmosphere in and around the club, facilities, youth development and such. Some teams are more than the sum of their parts, some are far from that. Some teams are on their up, and some are in crysis. Those factors can be used as multiplier to the ranking above.
 
DonnieDarko said:
Here's how I see the relative strength of top 6 as of now (I wanted to post a proper table but this editor is so crap, it's "Insert HTML code" feature does not work at all):

GK: ManUtd>Chelsea=Arsenal>ManCity=Tottenham>Liverpool
Defence: Chelsea=Tottenham>ManUtd>ManCity=Liverpool=Arsenal
Midfield: ManUtd=Chelsea>Liverpool=Tottenham>ManCity>Arsenal
Attack: ManCity>Liverpool>Chelsea=Tottenham>ManUtd=Arsenal
Bench: ManCity>ManUtd=Liverpool=Tottenham=Chelsea>Arsenal
Manager: Chelsea=ManUtd=Liverpool=Tottenham>ManCity>Arsenal

There are a few more things that have impact on how squads perform - atmosphere in and around the club, facilities, youth development and such. Some teams are more than the sum of their parts, some are far from that. Some teams are on their up, and some are in crysis. Those factors can be used as multiplier to the ranking above.
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Pretty much spot on I'd say, though perhaps I'd rank our bench a tad lower and I think Courtois deserves to be a tier above Cech at this point. If we're considering backups as well I think Caballero is about as good as one can find in the league.
 
shaky said:
considering that us, Liverpool and Chelsea have all finished lower in the past few years than Arsenal have in decades, I think it's a bit soon to be kicking them out of the conversation.
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That is indeed a valid point - but Leicester won the League 2 seasons ago, I don't think they belong up there either. Things change in football - quickly, and in this very moment - Arsenal don't look like a very good team.

Arsenals first 11 is not bad of course - but it's filled with internal problems. Özil doesn't seem motivated to play for Arsenal, and Sanchez - well, I will be impressed with Arsenal if they can get him mentally back to where he was 18 months ago.

Defensively, Bellerin hasn't looked the same player he was a few seasons back - and they still haven't found a defensive partnership that looks solid. Koscielny is not getting any younger and what is Mustafi thinking when he is benched for Rob Holding and Monreal ? Despite him being a far superior player.

In midfield they have defenive midfielder in Xhaka - is he good enough compared to what the other clubs have ? And what happens if he gets injured ? Aaron Ramsey in a 2 man midfield is a disaster waiting to happen. He is brilliant going forward, horrible tracking back.

There simply are too many questionmarks - and too many obvious errors in this Arsenal-side. And I will admit - I will be impressed with Wenger, if he can take Arsenal anywhere near a top-4 position. I would be HORRIBLY worried if I were an Arsenal-fan!
 
el magico said:
Its funny how fans view other people's teams. I think Lukaku suits Utd more than City so I get that, but otherwise I wouldn't swop any of the City players you mention for the United ones. I like Martial and Rashford but am astonished by your preference for MMM over KDB and the Silva's. Sterling/Rashford I understand your viewpoint but I would still rather have Sterling. My blue-tinted glasses versus your red-tinted glasses I guess.
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KDB is the only player who would make our attack. Silva is to old (31) i wouldn't want him near my starting 11 no matter if he is still quality could decline any day now.
 
So, with the CL and cup games back, we'll see which team actually makes good use of their squad. Some injuries to crucial players has also occurred so far.


Chelsea - Hazard has still not started for them in any league game. Cahill and Luiz out for 3 games each due to suspension and Fabregas missed one game. But they seem to be handling it quite well and look very solid. 9/10

Spurs - Rose, Wanyama, Son, Dembele have all missed games due to injury. Eriksen is out now for a game or two. Alli is facing suspension from UEFA. Despite all that, they have also done pretty well. If they were still at WHL, they would have atleast 3-4 points more. 8/10

Liverpool - Coutinho was out for a month and Mane suspended for 3 games. It has already cost them a few points. Already out of Carling cup due to their lack of squad strength. 6/10

Man City - Injuries to their defense especially full backs can get them into serious trouble. Already Kompany is out. Now Mendy is out too. Lets see how they do without him. Jury still out

United - Pogba out for about a month. Now we'll know how good our backups are. Fellaini did well against Southampton but we can already see the drop in quality. Herrera will also be used more from now on. With Pereira leaving, we might be stretched thin with Fellaini also out for the next 2. Jury still out
 
el magico said:
Its funny how fans view other people's teams. I think Lukaku suits Utd more than City so I get that, but otherwise I wouldn't swop any of the City players you mention for the United ones. I like Martial and Rashford but am astonished by your preference for MMM over KDB and the Silva's. Sterling/Rashford I understand your viewpoint but I would still rather have Sterling. My blue-tinted glasses versus your red-tinted glasses I guess.
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Its not a general consensus. this same gentleman said

1. Ibrahimovic 2. Aguero 3. Lukaku 4. Kane 5. Lacazette for EPL best forward. Kane, the highest EPL goal getter since he started playing, is the 4th best, behind both United forwards.

also that he would like Roy Keane to manage Man Utd.
 
We have a big squad of players but do not have backing for Pogba. We have backing for everyone else, but our game performances drop when Pogba is out. Herrera or Fellaini can be good at what they do, but they do not make up for Pogba. This may prove to be Vital in the big games.

I would say that City have the best squad in the Premiership, and would be able to cover for anyone who is out injured.
 
City have the best squad and a strong first XI, which is why they are rightly favourites for the league. We have pretty good cover for most positions, but the overall quality isn't quite there (Chelsea and Spurs have stronger first XI's, for example).
 
Taking the supporter glasses off, we are not even top4 in the best overall squad. But if we take account the starting eleven, we are clearly top 4.
That's why I said a few times ago that injuries will create us more problems than to the other top teams.
 
Sammyjunn said:
Doubt it, Chelsea and City have ridiculous squads and Spurs an excellent starting Xai
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I agree.But we also have an excellent squad.I think if we had two good attacking full backs who could cross we would have the best .At the moment I 'm not sure who our best 2 fullbacks are.
 
Defensive records:

VzKTA0f.jpg
 
We are a good balanced team, maybe we have the best squad since SAF. God help us with injuries and we will be just fine, big expectations hopefully.
 
City. They can afford to lose 3 or 4 pivotal players to injury/suspension and barely miss them whereas I don't think any of the others could.
 
slir32 said:
KDB is the only player who would make our attack. Silva is to old (31) i wouldn't want him near my starting 11 no matter if he is still quality could decline any day now.
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Your lens are very red!

Aguero > Rom (although Rom and suits us better)
Sane and Sterling are just as talented as Martial and Rashford
KDB > Pogba (although Pogs have potential to surpass)
D.Silva > Miki/ Mata
Jesus and B.Silva are adequate back-ups
 
Oooh_aaah_cantona said:
Your lens are very red!

Aguero > Rom (although Rom and suits us better)
Sane and Sterling are just as talented as Martial and Rashford
KDB > Pogba (although Pogs have potential to surpass)
D.Silva > Miki/ Mata
Jesus and B.Silva are adequate back-ups
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Not really.


You basically just agreed with me only Silva you disagreed with but i didn't include him because of his age.
 
Oooh_aaah_cantona said:
Your lens are very red!

Aguero > Rom (although Rom and suits us better)
Sane and Sterling are just as talented as Martial and Rashford
KDB > Pogba (although Pogs have potential to surpass)
D.Silva > Miki/ Mata
Jesus and B.Silva are adequate back-ups
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The thing is we both play such different styles. We've got very good players for our system and they've got very good players for theirs.

I wouldn't swap many of their attackers for ours just like they wouldn't swap many of theirs.

I'd definitely take Mendy and Danilo but that's just because they are position of needs.
 
JJ12 said:
The thing is we both play such different styles. We've got very good players for our system and they've got very good players for theirs.

I wouldn't swap many of their attackers for ours just like they wouldn't swap many of theirs.

I'd definitely take Mendy and Danilo but that's just because they are position of needs.
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That's probably a right way to look at it.

But in terms of attack,

I would swap Mata RW for Sane
Miki for Silva

Whereas I doubt they would want to swap any of ours.

They would take our De Gea , we would take their full-backs
 
Oooh_aaah_cantona said:
That's probably a right way to look at it.

But in terms of attack,

I would swap Mata RW for Sane
Miki for Silva

Whereas I doubt they would want to swap any of ours.

They would take our De Gea , we would take their full-backs
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I'd swap Mata definitely. I wouldn't swap Mkhitaryan.

I think they'd take De Gea and a CB or 2. We'd take a LB.

2 well stocked clubs with a contrast of styles. Intriguing season ahead.
 
It's hard to say who has the strongest squad. But if everyone in their XI are fit, I still see us to be the 4th one for having the best XI. Mainly because we haven't sort out our left back. I'm not being disrespectful to Young or Blind but Mendy & Rose will make it into our left back spot without a doubt. To be honest any good quality left back is already considered to be an upgrade. I'm still not sure with our winger too since we don't have a natural winger. Surely Hazard, Sanchez, & Mane will be a massive boost.

The one who are above us are Chelsea, Spurs & City & they don't really need what we have in our XI anyway.

Matic is probably an upgrade of Fernandinho due to more physical but I think City will still be happy with Fernandinho. If there is players that they need will be a world class player to upgrade what they have right now like De Gea.

However, having better XI doesn't mean they will win the league. The manager's tactic will also play a big part too.
 
Mike09 said:
It's hard to say who has the strongest squad. But if everyone in their XI are fit, I still see us to be the 4th one for having the best XI. Mainly because we haven't sort out our left back. I'm not being disrespectful to Young or Blind but Mendy & Rose will make it into our left back spot without a doubt. To be honest any good quality left back is already considered to be an upgrade. I'm still not sure with our winger too since we don't have a natural winger. Surely Hazard, Sanchez, & Mane will be a massive boost.

The one who are above us are Chelsea, Spurs & City & they don't really need what we have in our XI anyway.

Matic is probably an upgrade of Fernandinho due to more physical but I think City will still be happy with Fernandinho. If there is players that they need will be a world class player to upgrade what they have right now like De Gea.

However, having better XI doesn't mean they will win the league. The manager's tactic will also play a big part too.
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Spurs have better XI than us ?
 
el3mel said:
Spurs have better XI than us ?
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Can you see any doubt or big hole in their XI? What they need are world class players as an upgrade of what they have right now.

I do have doubt in our left back spot & we still don't have a natural wingers. Never mind about world class left back, just a decent left back like Bertrand will still be considered as an upgrade.
 
Mike09 said:
Can you see any doubt or big hole in their XI? What they need are world class players as an upgrade of what they have right now.

I do have doubt in our left back spot & we still don't have a natural wingers. Never mind about world class left back, just a decent left back like Bertrand will still be considered as an upgrade.
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Having no major holes doesn't mean having better XI than us. They have 3 elite players ( Kane, Ali and Eriksen ). You won't lick your lip over any other player in their XI believe.

We have a problem in LB only, but we're fine with our current wingers options IMO. Mourinho prefers to have a RW who keeps drifting inside during the game so that's not a hole, it's in the tactical setup, while Martial and Rashford are doing excellent job on the left.
 
el3mel said:
Spurs have better XI than us ?
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Man Utd who would likely get into Spurs = De Gea, Martial/ Rashford

Spurs who would likely get into Man Utd = Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweirer, Alli

To be fair, I do think they are stronger and more balanced.
 
Oooh_aaah_cantona said:
Man Utd who would likely get into Spurs = De Gea, Martial/ Rashford

Spurs who would likely get into Man Utd = Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweirer, Alli

To be fair, I do think they are stronger and more balanced.
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You want to tell me Pogba won't get into their XI while Alli will get into us ? Explain this to me.
 
el3mel said:
Having no major holes doesn't mean having better XI than us. They have 3 elite players ( Kane, Ali and Eriksen ). You won't lick your lip over any other player in their XI believe.

We have a problem in LB only, but we're fine with our current wingers options IMO. Mourinho prefers to have a RW who keeps drifting inside during the game so that's not a hole, it's in the tactical setup, while Martial and Rashford are doing excellent job on the left.
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The issue about this thread is that every teams in top 6 don't play with same style. Some teams have worse players than what we got but those "worse players" are more suitable for their system and style. Spurs & United aren't exactly playing the same style.

Spurs is happy with what they got so apart from DDG, they probably don't need any other players from our XI. Why do you think Spurs isn't trying to sign players to fix their XI because they don't need any? The players that they need are world class to upgrade what they have right now but world class is too expensive. For example they are not going to spend a lot on Lemar or Dembele as an upgrade since they know Son or Lamela will do the job for them. No gamble because both of them have prove what they can offer last season & 2 seasons ago.

As what we have right now. Our left back is still in doubt & we are taking a big risk for not signing a left back once again. There is a big doubt in Shaw's fitness & ever since we lost Evra we don't have a regular left back and the worst part about our left back situation is that a non elite left back like Bertrand is good enough to replace with what we have at the moment.

Jose Mourinho has indicated his disappointment not to sign his 4th player. He wanted Perisic which is a natural winger and his level is similar to Son/Lamela. Having a natural winger is something that Jose thinks as an improvement for his system.
 
el3mel said:
You want to tell me Pogba won't get into their XI while Alli will get into us ? Explain this to me.
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Pogba probably has to compete with Eriksen, for the top of the midfield 3.

Alli will get into our system playing behind Rom. Just like Griezmann as SS
 
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