I'm not a moaner but I'll throw my hat into the ring...but not without first saying that Jose is the right man for the job, that this should be seen as a long term project - just as sir Alex knew Rooney, Ronaldo, fletcher, da silva etc would blossom.
I certainly couldn't have seen Pep do a better job, we've played good football at times the key to which has been a fully fit squad. And it's the players who've struggled to put the ball in the net.
Now playing the game here's the sitting down and listing the questions & board requests that need satisfying. So I'll list priority targets followed by secondary/last resort etc. Things to consider with my backroom staff..
1)How to establish power,
2)How "gelled" the squad is/do we have good players who are held back by their support, and therefore don't look good enough, and some might think need replacing but the root problem is their "wingman"
3) commercial demands of the club/board & wage bill.
Firstly mentality. Being unknown a power statement needs making. This has to be Rooney. Might even help if he goes on a free - no nonsense taken by the new gaffer.
This could even spread into some of the "old boys network" of ferguson men. It's sad to cull but you only need to look at the class of '92's attitude on tv.
So looking at the squad, but DDG I'll come to later.
Defence:
Smalling and jones out. They are too injury prone and inconsistent to partner Bailly, plus rojo has shown himself good enough to nail the starting partner. This means it's strengthening the strength in depth...
Keane re signed - clause means he's cheap enough and good enough to rotate and take rojo's position whilst he recovers. He just as capable as either jones or Smalling but the key point is will be available with his solid injury record. I'd like to see Tuanzebe take the other back up slot.
TFM looks a beast and I'd love to see him play reserve to Valencia/another back up CB role. Cameron borthwick jackon would play back up to shaw on the other flank who I'd give one more season to fulfil his potential. We also have Valera as another back up right back.
That leaves Blind or Darmian to go... And considering the left back spot looks young/vulnerable to injury, and blind is a better centre back/midfielder he gets the nod to stay
So that's;
Valencia--Bailly--rojo--shaw
(TFM-Tuanzebe-keane-CBJ)
That's one signing around £18 million with the selling on fee factored in. And three "senior" wages removed and replaced by one plus two "junior" wages promoted. £6 million each for the chuckle brothers, with the above wages factored in, and keane is near enough a zero expenditure signing.
Midfield isn't as straightforwards. I'd play 4-3-3 to get the best from Pogba, which would require a key DM signing. Whist the game is moving back towards the more Makalele type destroyer, pog flourishes with a Pirlo/carrick playmaker. This leaves two standout options
Preferred target - Fabinho
Secondary target - Wiegl
Third option destroyer type - Fosu mensah or the young Porto prodigy/captain whose name escapes me...
That's Herrera as our box to box and Pogba as our starting attacking mid. Pereira replaces Rooney and Rodriguez looks to be a done deal. He definately has goals in him. Isco would obviously be better but reputation of me as the new gaffer and the fact he wants to fight means it wouldn't happen. So really the best bet is to trust periera with games and look at back up/challenger to Ander.
Flashy signing - James
Dream signing but won't happen - Isco
Last resort to replace Fellaini - Barkley
Rivals to Herrera
Naingolan
Youri Tielemans
Loan Portuguese kid from bayern
Attack I'll get into tomorrow