The type of striker we need

Rowem · 13th May 2008, 00:08

Ideal four strikers would be Rooney and Tevez plus:

1. A target man, someone who can come off the bench and disrupt defences when teams have 10 men behind the ball and passing through them is near impossible. Obviously we have Manucho coming in to do this. I would prefer someone with a better track record, but he can have a season or so to prove himself I guess.

2. Someone who can lead the line ahead of Rooney, someone who is always looking to run behind defences and stretch them, someone with an eye for goal. Benzema would be a wet dream. Also would like to see Campbell get a few games.

If SAF has Campbell and Wellbeck in mind I reckon he will go for someone older than Benzema, someone with experience, either Berbatov (absolute class, although the price tag puts me off a little) or a stop gap option. Someone like Benni McCarthy or Henrik Larsson (that type of player, not those two specifically) - someone experienced and with an eye for goal. A real cheeky attempt to sign Henry would be good fun!

ALX8725 · 13th May 2008, 00:10

oh and also, the striker cannot have a poor attitude as he might spend a decent amount of time as a sub.

this rules out Berbatov. because his attitude is well.... yeah

Plechazunga · 13th May 2008, 00:13

Fast and lethal, please

Failing that, Berbatov

quiet_united · 13th May 2008, 01:10

We never thought Fergie would went for Anderson, Nani, Tevez in one summer. People were branded muppet when suggesting so at the time.

I hope Fergie will be "muppet" again this summer

twitchchris · 13th May 2008, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by samabachan

So Rooney doesn't play in your team then?

Read Please:

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchchris

Ruud in top form in the center 3 of a 4-3-3, Rooney/Ronaldo and Tevez to either side.

Slevin · 13th May 2008, 02:22

Oh for fucks sake...

If you guys had your way our starting XI would be

Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Huntelar, Benzema, Berbatov, Ashton, Pato, Eto'o, Messi, Villa

M160RA · 13th May 2008, 02:34

Last season I thought Torres would be a great addition. This season, I think Benzema would be even better.

zain · 13th May 2008, 02:54

An ideal striker would be..

a mixture of these two..

and

Ace · 13th May 2008, 02:57

Please no Michael Owen...

Mr. Wood · 13th May 2008, 02:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza

It's a tricky one.

I personally don't think we need Berbatov or a really big name striker.

I think our front line should still be Rooney-Ronaldo-Tevez next season. They can tear most teams apart - we've won the league and got to the CL final with them! We could probably do with cover so we could keep them fresh - maybe a player who wouldn't cost the earth and would accept 30 games a season (Huntelaar?).

We don't need a big target man to win headers because we're not that sort of team. A really big striker signing like Berbatov would be nice but then it could destabilize what we've already got.

Agreed. I also agree with those who are talking about getting a mobile striker.

I was always a big fan of RVN, but we looked much better when Saha replaced him in 05/06. The Berbatov talk makes me nervous, as I suspect we may be reverting to the RVN system in some ways.

MadDogg · 13th May 2008, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Wood

I was always a big fan of RVN, but we looked much better when Saha replaced him in 05/06. The Berbatov talk makes me nervous, as I suspect we may be reverting to the RVN system in some ways.

Although Berbatov is Ruud's size and speed, he plays nothing like him. His style of play (at least when his team has the ball) is more like Rooney, except he has the size to actually play upfront successfully.

Our perfect striker would be an upgraded and fit version of Saha. Obviously Benzema seems to be the numero uno, but it looks hugely unlikely to happen. Otherwise, Eto'o has near perfect style of play, but perhaps is too up himself to interchange with Rooney and Tevez, plus has had quite a few injury problems himself the last two seasons. No-one else jumps out at me.

Then you have Berbatov, who is a very different style of striker, but one who could potentially work very well.

RedThaiDevils#7 · 13th May 2008, 08:22

Just watching a couple of Lyon matches and the thoughts of Rooney/Benzema partnership makes me shiver. Both tough on the ball. Both strong. Benzema likes to play give and go and is extremely quick and lethal and knows when to make the right path. It's not the 23 goals he's scored this season its what he contributes to the whole Lyon side. He makes their side look dangerous. I'm going all out for Benzema.
If we didn't get him this season then I'm hoping Mancho will get a work permit. As for Berbs, he plays extremely well offers what we don't have but for 25m for a 27/28 yr old, I'd say no. He should be only what Henry was sold to Barca at 16m if I were gonna go for Berbs.

RedThaiDevils#7 · 13th May 2008, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by zain

An ideal striker would be..

a mixture of these two..

and

You add that and you get Benzema

Alex · 13th May 2008, 08:25

Benzema or Berbatov for me, this new Fabiano rumor is intriguing but I dont know what to think about it

ERICSAGOD · 13th May 2008, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by oleonenumber20

I still reckon we were playing our best football last season when Saha was fit. So a new and improved and fit Saha would be great.

Which Saturday of the season was that?

KeyserSoze · 13th May 2008, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedThaiDevils#7

You add that and you get Benzema

Nistlerooy and Cole are Old Trafford scoring legends. Benzema would have a long way to go to achieve what they have. He would also have to actually play for us.

Bilbo · 13th May 2008, 08:33

It doesn't really matter how big or tall the player is. We need someone who will occupy the area's that we are currently struggling in. Too often United play the ball around the box and we see no-one making the run beyond the defenders.

Someone who will hang off of the shoulders of the centre-backs and get beyond them. Funnily enough, Saha is great at doing that. Berbatov would be a fine option, but will probably be too expensive. Benzema I haven't seen enough of to make judgement (like 90% of this forum im guessing) but what I have seen he tends to drop deep a lot, which is something we already have in abundance.

I'm not wishing to turn this into another thread about this player, but again in terms of price, age, class & experience, I fancy Michael Owen. If he can prove to United that his fitness problems are behind him, I doubt anyone can disagree that he is a pretty much guaranteed twenty goal striker at least.

FranklyVulgar · 13th May 2008, 08:51

Berbatov, Eto'o or Ibrahimovic would do nicely

kafta · 13th May 2008, 08:54

Benzema is obviously the best we could get. If the price is too high, hunelaar or maybe eto'o would be pretty good as well.

Trippin_Stoned · 13th May 2008, 09:45

It needs to be someone like Saha for me, without the injury problems. A fit Saha offers so much. He's quick, decent in the air. Can hold the ball up and go in behind the defence and is good with either foot. As good as Tevez and Rooney are, they are very similar in style and sometimes when its not working, which happens it would be nice to bring someone else on who changes the focus of attacks.

I don't know which player I'd buy, but those qualities that I mentioned in Saha is what I'd be looking for in future transfer targets.

Also, anyone who bemoans people who mention Benzema as a possible target and spout off "How many times have you seen him play?" Well, I've seen him play twice and I've seen enough in him to make me believe he'll become a top striker in the world.

sincher · 13th May 2008, 09:46

Agree with that - but would prefer a better finisher than Saha.

devilish · 13th May 2008, 10:24

It will all depend on what SAF's wants, whether he would want to break a partnership which had guaranteed him 40 goals this season or not. If that is the case then I cant see anything better then Benzema. Unfortunately he would cost a fortune + he doesnt want to come with us. Other alternatives would be Berbatov (I wouldnt say no if the price is right), Etoo (not actually an alternative to what we already have anyway)and David Villa.

SAF may opt for cheaper options. Suazo is a player I wouldnt mind at OT. He is quick, a hardworker and can play as main striker, link man and on the wings. He wasnt given space at Inter (even though he scored a hattrick against us) but at Cagliari he really did well. Quagliarella is another striker I wouldnt mind at OT. The player is hardworking, he has a great eye to goal and can move on the flanks if neccessary.

The Boxer · 13th May 2008, 13:26

We need a tall and strong striker upfront. Ibrahimovic would be ideal.

wancolos · 13th May 2008, 13:28

We've already got exactly the type of striker we need in Saha.

It's a shame he's dead.

sonymobby · 13th May 2008, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by wancolos

We've already got exactly the type of striker we need in Saha.

It's a shame he's dead.

Actually when you really think about it, it's more than just a shame. He fits perfectly into the striker that we need but unfortunately we can't rely on him. We have the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle but it's broken...

Ekeke · 13th May 2008, 13:39

For me, the ideal player to have next to Rooney has these qualities :

1) Lethal finisher - Rooney had a purple patch of fantastic finishing earlier on in the season and he's ending the season with poor finishing. It's never going to be his best quality, he needs a partner who is sure-fire in front of goal.

2) Someone who stretches defences and looks for balls in behind, like Saha used to - This creates room for an off-striker. Something Rooney has been the best in the world at, before being pushed further up front. We need someone who actually wants to work the channels and make runs time and again behind the defence.

3) Good pace - It has to be someone who can keep up with Ronaldo and Rooney on a break.

4) Someone with good link up play around the box. That doesnt mean he has to be able to do Drogba style chest downs for Lampard style long shots, but someone who is comfortable around the box at finding team mates and creating chances

Manucho will be a good option off the bench if we need a big guy to win balls in the air. He's also very capable of putting the ball into the back of the net if we create him chances.

Benzema, Mario Gomez, Eto'o and David Villa all fit the bill. People will say "Oh, but we need a huge target man like Drogba and Adebayor" but we did pretty well with Saha when he was fit last season and he's nowhere near as tall. Neither were Yorke and Cole and it wasnt Solskjaer or Sheringham's game at all either.

wancolos · 13th May 2008, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonymobby

Actually when you really think about it, it's more than just a shame. He fits perfectly into the striker that we need but unfortunately we can't rely on him. We have the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle but it's broken...

I know. It's pretty disheartening.

Godfather · 13th May 2008, 13:55

If you really just consider skills it has to be Drogba.

He is a cnut though and not the youngest anymore.
So it would be Benzema for me, clearly.
Probably Berbatov, but he is overrated on here.

Dont want to see Owen anywhere Old Trafford though.

Etoo would also be a great opportunity and I'm sure Fergie would sort his shit attitude out.

BaldwinLegend · 13th May 2008, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godfather

If you really just consider skills it has to be Drogba.

He is a cnut though and not the youngest anymore.
So it would be Benzema for me, clearly.
Probably Berbatov, but he is overrated on here.

Dont want to see Owen anywhere Old Trafford though.

Etoo would also be a great opportunity and I'm sure Fergie would sort his shit attitude out.

Wow, I think I strongly disagree with pretty much every point.

Berbatov isn't overrated, Benzema is, Drogba'd never work, Owen probably would, Eto'o is too old to sort his attitude out.

Other than that, you're bang on.

Ekeke · 13th May 2008, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaldwinLegend

Wow, I think I strongly disagree with pretty much every point.

Berbatov isn't overrated, Benzema is, Drogba'd never work, Owen probably would, Eto'o is too old to sort his attitude out.

Other than that, you're bang on.

How would Owen work when he's injured almost as often as Saha and spent the best part of this season playing... off the front man...

13th May 2008, 00:08	#41 (permalink)
Rowem Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,501	Ideal four strikers would be Rooney and Tevez plus: 1. A target man, someone who can come off the bench and disrupt defences when teams have 10 men behind the ball and passing through them is near impossible. Obviously we have Manucho coming in to do this. I would prefer someone with a better track record, but he can have a season or so to prove himself I guess. 2. Someone who can lead the line ahead of Rooney, someone who is always looking to run behind defences and stretch them, someone with an eye for goal. Benzema would be a wet dream. Also would like to see Campbell get a few games. If SAF has Campbell and Wellbeck in mind I reckon he will go for someone older than Benzema, someone with experience, either Berbatov (absolute class, although the price tag puts me off a little) or a stop gap option. Someone like Benni McCarthy or Henrik Larsson (that type of player, not those two specifically) - someone experienced and with an eye for goal. A real cheeky attempt to sign Henry would be good fun!

13th May 2008, 00:10	#42 (permalink)
ALX8725 reyalP maeT htuoY Join Date: May 2007 Location: Would rather walk alone. Posts: 2,261	oh and also, the striker cannot have a poor attitude as he might spend a decent amount of time as a sub. this rules out Berbatov. because his attitude is well.... yeah

13th May 2008, 00:13	#43 (permalink)
Plechazunga Phones, soup, paint and chairs are troubling. Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the principality is chief executive of David evroshampiona Gil. Posts: 49,810	Fast and lethal, please Failing that, Berbatov

13th May 2008, 01:10	#44 (permalink)
quiet_united Vietnamese Red Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mars Posts: 2,437	We never thought Fergie would went for Anderson, Nani, Tevez in one summer. People were branded muppet when suggesting so at the time. I hope Fergie will be "muppet" again this summer

13th May 2008, 02:22	#46 (permalink)
Slevin Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 1,723	Oh for fucks sake... If you guys had your way our starting XI would be Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Huntelar, Benzema, Berbatov, Ashton, Pato, Eto'o, Messi, Villa

13th May 2008, 02:34	#47 (permalink)
M160RA Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,853	Last season I thought Torres would be a great addition. This season, I think Benzema would be even better.

13th May 2008, 02:54	#48 (permalink)
zain Believe Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Only around where Top Reds are! Posts: 1,384	An ideal striker would be.. a mixture of these two.. and

13th May 2008, 02:57	#49 (permalink)
Ace Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Da Silva Fever Posts: 1,904	Please no Michael Owen...

13th May 2008, 08:22	#52 (permalink)
RedThaiDevils#7 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: THAILAND Posts: 919	Just watching a couple of Lyon matches and the thoughts of Rooney/Benzema partnership makes me shiver. Both tough on the ball. Both strong. Benzema likes to play give and go and is extremely quick and lethal and knows when to make the right path. It's not the 23 goals he's scored this season its what he contributes to the whole Lyon side. He makes their side look dangerous. I'm going all out for Benzema. If we didn't get him this season then I'm hoping Mancho will get a work permit. As for Berbs, he plays extremely well offers what we don't have but for 25m for a 27/28 yr old, I'd say no. He should be only what Henry was sold to Barca at 16m if I were gonna go for Berbs.

13th May 2008, 08:25	#54 (permalink)
Alex Spam Alert! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Californication Posts: 21,247	Benzema or Berbatov for me, this new Fabiano rumor is intriguing but I dont know what to think about it

13th May 2008, 08:33	#57 (permalink)
Bilbo First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,784	It doesn't really matter how big or tall the player is. We need someone who will occupy the area's that we are currently struggling in. Too often United play the ball around the box and we see no-one making the run beyond the defenders. Someone who will hang off of the shoulders of the centre-backs and get beyond them. Funnily enough, Saha is great at doing that. Berbatov would be a fine option, but will probably be too expensive. Benzema I haven't seen enough of to make judgement (like 90% of this forum im guessing) but what I have seen he tends to drop deep a lot, which is something we already have in abundance. I'm not wishing to turn this into another thread about this player, but again in terms of price, age, class & experience, I fancy Michael Owen. If he can prove to United that his fitness problems are behind him, I doubt anyone can disagree that he is a pretty much guaranteed twenty goal striker at least.

13th May 2008, 08:51	#58 (permalink)
FranklyVulgar Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In amoungst the pigs raising hell Posts: 2,677	Berbatov, Eto'o or Ibrahimovic would do nicely

13th May 2008, 08:54	#59 (permalink)
kafta Perpetual Under 11's Team Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lebanon & On the throne of europe Posts: 2,836	Benzema is obviously the best we could get. If the price is too high, hunelaar or maybe eto'o would be pretty good as well.

13th May 2008, 09:45	#60 (permalink)
Trippin_Stoned Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,802	It needs to be someone like Saha for me, without the injury problems. A fit Saha offers so much. He's quick, decent in the air. Can hold the ball up and go in behind the defence and is good with either foot. As good as Tevez and Rooney are, they are very similar in style and sometimes when its not working, which happens it would be nice to bring someone else on who changes the focus of attacks. I don't know which player I'd buy, but those qualities that I mentioned in Saha is what I'd be looking for in future transfer targets. Also, anyone who bemoans people who mention Benzema as a possible target and spout off "How many times have you seen him play?" Well, I've seen him play twice and I've seen enough in him to make me believe he'll become a top striker in the world.

13th May 2008, 09:46	#61 (permalink)
sincher Les jeux sont Fait Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: YSC Posts: 14,165	Agree with that - but would prefer a better finisher than Saha.

13th May 2008, 10:24	#62 (permalink)
devilish Nationality: Italian-English, Maltese Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cnut's home Posts: 18,170	It will all depend on what SAF's wants, whether he would want to break a partnership which had guaranteed him 40 goals this season or not. If that is the case then I cant see anything better then Benzema. Unfortunately he would cost a fortune + he doesnt want to come with us. Other alternatives would be Berbatov (I wouldnt say no if the price is right), Etoo (not actually an alternative to what we already have anyway)and David Villa. SAF may opt for cheaper options. Suazo is a player I wouldnt mind at OT. He is quick, a hardworker and can play as main striker, link man and on the wings. He wasnt given space at Inter (even though he scored a hattrick against us) but at Cagliari he really did well. Quagliarella is another striker I wouldnt mind at OT. The player is hardworking, he has a great eye to goal and can move on the flanks if neccessary.

13th May 2008, 13:26	#63 (permalink)
The Boxer Youth Team Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne/Jakarta/Shanghai Posts: 475	We need a tall and strong striker upfront. Ibrahimovic would be ideal.

13th May 2008, 13:28	#64 (permalink)
wancolos Diarrhetic homosexual- likes to beat Noggies with his manbat Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 16,738	We've already got exactly the type of striker we need in Saha. It's a shame he's dead.

13th May 2008, 13:39	#66 (permalink)
Ekeke McFuckwit Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6,955	For me, the ideal player to have next to Rooney has these qualities : 1) Lethal finisher - Rooney had a purple patch of fantastic finishing earlier on in the season and he's ending the season with poor finishing. It's never going to be his best quality, he needs a partner who is sure-fire in front of goal. 2) Someone who stretches defences and looks for balls in behind, like Saha used to - This creates room for an off-striker. Something Rooney has been the best in the world at, before being pushed further up front. We need someone who actually wants to work the channels and make runs time and again behind the defence. 3) Good pace - It has to be someone who can keep up with Ronaldo and Rooney on a break. 4) Someone with good link up play around the box. That doesnt mean he has to be able to do Drogba style chest downs for Lampard style long shots, but someone who is comfortable around the box at finding team mates and creating chances Manucho will be a good option off the bench if we need a big guy to win balls in the air. He's also very capable of putting the ball into the back of the net if we create him chances. Benzema, Mario Gomez, Eto'o and David Villa all fit the bill. People will say "Oh, but we need a huge target man like Drogba and Adebayor" but we did pretty well with Saha when he was fit last season and he's nowhere near as tall. Neither were Yorke and Cole and it wasnt Solskjaer or Sheringham's game at all either.

13th May 2008, 13:55	#68 (permalink)
Godfather Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austria Posts: 3,794	If you really just consider skills it has to be Drogba. He is a cnut though and not the youngest anymore. So it would be Benzema for me, clearly. Probably Berbatov, but he is overrated on here. Dont want to see Owen anywhere Old Trafford though. Etoo would also be a great opportunity and I'm sure Fergie would sort his shit attitude out.