Right Winger... Who do we go for?

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Fer

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If we get the squad shaped for a 4-3-3 by next summer I hope the 6 options for the front 3 roles will look like this.

CF - Ibra/Rashford
LW - Martial/Lingard
RW - Mkhitaryan/New Signing
Where's Lukaku?
 

ravi2

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I think at this stage Mahrez is the only decent available winger left. We need a full back just as much as we need a winger IMO
 

Rasendori

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This season, we've struggled to break down low blocks. Whilst we beat West Ham 4-0, the goal that broke the deadlock was against the run of play, rather than dismantling a low block. Moreover, the second goal against West Ham, was the result of Rashford running into space and getting fouled, earning a free kick which we ultimately scored from. West Ham being 2-0 down, with nothing to lose, the option Bilic chose was to go for it, with his substitutions happening shortly after the second goal. As the game opened up, United were able to punish them on the counter, as exemplified by United scoring two further goals in quick succession.

Similarly, Swansea's 3-5-2 system frustrated us, congesting the midfield with Swansea having three midfielders to match that of our own, as the wing backs could concentrate on Rashford and Mata respectively, and even then the only time we looked remotely dangerous was through the dogged determination of Rashford. Additionally, its noteworthy that the first goal we scored wasn't from open play, but rather through a set piece, and the timing of it just before half time couldn't have been any worse for Clement who would've been happy going into the tunnel knowing they'd successfully frustrated Man Utd. Are failure to capitalise on our first goal led Swansea to believe they could actually nick a result, which led to two wingers coming on as substitutes as Swansea switched to a 4-4-2 system. Less than 10 minutes later, United introduced our own substitutes in Martial and Fellaini, as we changed to a 4-3-3 with the point downward giving us numerical superiority in central areas, a luxury we didn't have prior to Swansea's change in system. This made us particularly dangerous on the counter with Pogba playing in the interior, meaning he was closer to Martial, as now he had Fellaini alongside him who could provide additional support to Matic, and once again we scored a number of goals in quick succession following our opposition making the game more open.

With the aforementioned in mind, I feel we need another creative player to help us dismantle low blocks. We have a spine of physical players such as Bailly, Matic, Pogba, and Lukaku, and if we can be creative in the same measure with Lindelof/Tuanzebe, Pogba, MKhitaryan and Malcom then that would make us far more threatening. Rashford/Martial are the goal threats from outwide, what we lack is that Ribery/Coutinho/Hazard creative option on the right. That's why Malcom from Bordeaux would be my pick. I first saw him at the U20 World Cup for Brazil, when I wanted to see how Andreas Pereira was getting on. He showed flashes of brilliance, and I admittedly forgot about him until I noticed Adam Ounas wasn't being picked anymore for Bordeaux. The player being prioritised over him was Malcom. I watched some games to understand what he offered that Ounas couldn't, and it became increasingly apparent that Malcom has maturity beyond his years. This season, his progress continues to be on an upwards trajectory.

Malcom's weight of pass is brilliant, as he regularly switches play to the opposite winger, and carves up defences with his passes, he has the awareness and link up play to bring the right back into the game, such as getting them in positions where they can make a cut back. When coming across teams that play a low block, one way to destabilise them is to shoot from distance, forcing the opposition to leave their low block to close space, and Malcom has a cracking shot on him. Additionally, Malcom is also a direct free kick threat, which is pivotal considering we now look dangerous at indirect free kicks thanks to the delivery of MKhitaryan. We have Pogba and Rashford that can take them towards the left, and we could have Malcolm taking them on the right with his left foot. Furthermore, he's inherently capable of being a creative outlet at right with his ability to dribble by going on the outside as well as cutting inside.
 

DrRodo

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Pulisic would be my first choice, followed by Carrasco.
You... I like you

Those are my first two options as well. I wished we signed any of them this summer because theyre just about to be in the radar of madrid and the likes
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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Very insightful post @Rasendori.

I do agree that, although we have scored a number of goals in our first three games, we have struggled to break teams down initially.

I've never watched Malcom, and I definitely agree with the creativity, however, I think our problem at the moment is being too narrow, especially against teams who like to defend deep and compact like West Ham, Swansea and Leicester did.

I think in order to break down a low block, we need to stretch teams, thus allowing more room for the likes of Mkhi and Pogba more room to work in.

At the moment, we have Mata, who basically has a free role, but to me, he's doing a very similar job to Mkhi, and against teams that are very defensive, having a player like Mata seems pretty pointless, in my opinion.

If we were to have a winger who hugged the touchline, along with a winger who cuts in, it would mean having that option out wide to switch play and create a 1v1 situation.

The only times we really beat the low block against Leicester, West Ham and Swansea was when we got into wide areas. There were plenty of times Blind and Valencia got into good positions but unfortunately weren't able to deliver a good cross.

Maybe we can continue to play high full backs like we did against Leicester, meaning having our wingers finding pockets of space in between the lines, however, they need to have the ability to receive the ball and dribble out of tight spaces, because the middle will be very compact.

I like Mata, but he likes to just pass and move - sometimes very simple, at times. It doesn't do enough damage to the opposition.

We need someone who is willing to get the ball, turn and open up the opposition. Rashford, Martial and to a lesser extent Lingard does this, but we need someone who can do that on the right.

From what you explained Malcom seems to be that player, however, do you not think Mahrez could do that role too?

Great dribbling ability, can pick a pass, can shoot from long range, free kicks, etc. Everything we need really, and has Premier League experience so we wouldn't really be taking a massive risk.
 

Jaybomb

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Perisic is the missing piece of the jigsaw. He's the one that would fit the system best.

If we simply want to buy a "name" irregardless of everything else, it has to be Sanchez or Mahrez. They're both available.
 

Macern

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Maybe we could bid lower for him.
I think we need someone like him. Top player and a proper winger which we lack in the squad. Did well in the 2016 CL final too. I'd definitely take him for £50-60m. Not sure about the Glazer's willingness to spend that much right now though
 

prtk0811

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This season, we've struggled to break down low blocks. Whilst we beat West Ham 4-0, the goal that broke the deadlock was against the run of play, rather than dismantling a low block. Moreover, the second goal against West Ham, was the result of Rashford running into space and getting fouled, earning a free kick which we ultimately scored from. West Ham being 2-0 down, with nothing to lose, the option Bilic chose was to go for it, with his substitutions happening shortly after the second goal. As the game opened up, United were able to punish them on the counter, as exemplified by United scoring two further goals in quick succession.

Similarly, Swansea's 3-5-2 system frustrated us, congesting the midfield with Swansea having three midfielders to match that of our own, as the wing backs could concentrate on Rashford and Mata respectively, and even then the only time we looked remotely dangerous was through the dogged determination of Rashford. Additionally, its noteworthy that the first goal we scored wasn't from open play, but rather through a set piece, and the timing of it just before half time couldn't have been any worse for Clement who would've been happy going into the tunnel knowing they'd successfully frustrated Man Utd. Are failure to capitalise on our first goal led Swansea to believe they could actually nick a result, which led to two wingers coming on as substitutes as Swansea switched to a 4-4-2 system. Less than 10 minutes later, United introduced our own substitutes in Martial and Fellaini, as we changed to a 4-3-3 with the point downward giving us numerical superiority in central areas, a luxury we didn't have prior to Swansea's change in system. This made us particularly dangerous on the counter with Pogba playing in the interior, meaning he was closer to Martial, as now he had Fellaini alongside him who could provide additional support to Matic, and once again we scored a number of goals in quick succession following our opposition making the game more open.

With the aforementioned in mind, I feel we need another creative player to help us dismantle low blocks. We have a spine of physical players such as Bailly, Matic, Pogba, and Lukaku, and if we can be creative in the same measure with Lindelof/Tuanzebe, Pogba, MKhitaryan and Malcom then that would make us far more threatening. Rashford/Martial are the goal threats from outwide, what we lack is that Ribery/Coutinho/Hazard creative option on the right. That's why Malcom from Bordeaux would be my pick. I first saw him at the U20 World Cup for Brazil, when I wanted to see how Andreas Pereira was getting on. He showed flashes of brilliance, and I admittedly forgot about him until I noticed Adam Ounas wasn't being picked anymore for Bordeaux. The player being prioritised over him was Malcom. I watched some games to understand what he offered that Ounas couldn't, and it became increasingly apparent that Malcom has maturity beyond his years. This season, his progress continues to be on an upwards trajectory.

Malcom's weight of pass is brilliant, as he regularly switches play to the opposite winger, and carves up defences with his passes, he has the awareness and link up play to bring the right back into the game, such as getting them in positions where they can make a cut back. When coming across teams that play a low block, one way to destabilise them is to shoot from distance, forcing the opposition to leave their low block to close space, and Malcom has a cracking shot on him. Additionally, Malcom is also a direct free kick threat, which is pivotal considering we now look dangerous at indirect free kicks thanks to the delivery of MKhitaryan. We have Pogba and Rashford that can take them towards the left, and we could have Malcolm taking them on the right with his left foot. Furthermore, he's inherently capable of being a creative outlet at right with his ability to dribble by going on the outside as well as cutting inside.
Great Post and Scouting. Really like him.
 

Devil may care

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Along with LB this remains the position in flux, Mata is playing t]here most often but I think most would agree that it's not the strongest position in our attack, especially in comparison to the hotly contested LWF role.

There's a couple of great young options performing well right now that could be options, in Pulisic and Malcom.



Alternatively Carlos Soler is an intriguing option, more of a RM than a RW, but he has the ability and speed to get down the outside and put good crosses in, while also sharing Mata's trait of being good at floating in and making the extra man in midfield to help control posession.

I'm sure there are other options but those are my 3 suggestions, I like Carrasco as well but I think Griezmann will rule that out.
 

Nick.

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I know he isn't a winger, but Spurs' Christian Eriksen can play on the right side of a 4-2-3-1 and I would pay £80m+ for him if that's what it took to push a deal through. I rate him very highly.
 
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United Pro

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I know he isn't a winger, but Spurs' Christian Eriksen can play on the right side of a 4-2-3-1 and I would pay £80m+ for him if that's what it took to push a deal through. I rate him very highly.
You'd limit him massively playing on the right. He's an incredible attacking midfielder and I rate him highly as well, but I'd rather someone with more pace as a wide option.
 

DWelbz19

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You'd limit him massively playing on the right. He's an incredible attacking midfielder and I rate him highly as well, but I'd rather someone with more pace as a wide option.
He could play exactly how Mata plays the role — drift wherever sprinkling creativity. I think he’s probably better coming in field on a free run than starting as the number 10 too.
 

DannyCAFC

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He could play exactly how Mata plays the role — drift wherever sprinkling creativity. I think he’s probably better coming in field on a free run than starting as the number 10 too.
I thought really the issue though was the lack of width though? I agree Eriksen would be a bit limited outwide. Also Mata is coming inside on to his natural foot, which gives him better angles for pretty much all his options (shooting, crossing, through-balls). I guess with Eriksen this is less of an issue as he's got a great left foot, but still.
 

DWelbz19

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I thought really the issue though was the lack of width though? I agree Eriksen would be a bit limited outwide. Also Mata is coming inside on to his natural foot, which gives him better angles for pretty much all his options (shooting, crossing, through-balls). I guess with Eriksen this is less of an issue as he's got a great left foot, but still.
I guess there’s two ways of taking it:

A. Sign a creative wide-playmaker like Eriksen AND a top tier attacking RB who will maintain width (or just hope Valencia can keep trucking)
B. Sign a right winger who will maintain width - the type of player Mourinho was after for the left side - I.E a Perisic style winger.
 

United Pro

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He could play exactly how Mata plays the role — drift wherever sprinkling creativity. I think he’s probably better coming in field on a free run than starting as the number 10 too.
I think if Mourinho wanted a player like that, he would have moved for Bernardo Silva last summer. From our pursuit of Perisic and Willian, I reckon he wants more of a winger that runs down the wing, keeping the width of the pitch, in order to stretch teams out and deliver accurate crosses into the box. I can't think of many available players that fit the bill though. Perhaps Gelson Martins?
 

M Bison

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I think if Mourinho wanted a player like that, he would have moved for Bernardo Silva last summer. From our pursuit of Perisic and Willian, I reckon he wants more of a winger that runs down the wing, keeping the width of the pitch, in order to stretch teams out and deliver accurate crosses into the box. I can't think of many available players that fit the bill though. Perhaps Gelson Martins?
Thats exactly what's needed, we're crying out for a proper RW.
 

Mcking

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I think if Mourinho wanted a player like that, he would have moved for Bernardo Silva last summer. From our pursuit of Perisic and Willian, I reckon he wants more of a winger that runs down the wing, keeping the width of the pitch, in order to stretch teams out and deliver accurate crosses into the box. I can't think of many available players that fit the bill though. Perhaps Gelson Martins?
Thats exactly what's needed, we're crying out for a proper RW.
What do you think of Kingsley Coman? I mean how good he is as a footballer and how he'd fit into our team, not how gettable he is. I haven't seen a lot a posters mention him despite the fact he plays exactly as a rightwinger and has played for a lot of big clubs.
 

quackattack

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I know he isn't a winger, but Spurs' Christian Eriksen can play on the right side of a 4-2-3-1 and I would pay £80m+ for him if that's what it took to push a deal through. I rate him very highly.
I would say it is more likely to get Messi than Eriksen...Spurs world problems.
 

United Pro

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What do you think of Kingsley Coman? I mean how good he is as a footballer and how he'd fit into our team, not how gettable he is. I haven't seen a lot a posters mention him despite the fact he plays exactly as a rightwinger and has played for a lot of big clubs.
Well, like you alluded to Coman isn't exactly gettable especially with Ribery and Robben nearing retirement, so that's probably why no one really mentions him on this thread. But, he's a fantastic talent, with a mix of incredible speed and acceleration along with dribbling. However, whenever I've seen him, he's majorly lacked in end product and is a little inconsistent, so I reckon that's why he still doesn't get regular game time at Bayern.
 
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What do you think of Kingsley Coman? I mean how good he is as a footballer and how he'd fit into our team, not how gettable he is. I haven't seen a lot a posters mention him despite the fact he plays exactly as a rightwinger and has played for a lot of big clubs.
He is Bayern's Martial. Zero chance of them letting others get to mould him to maturity.
 

Mcking

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Well, like you alluded to Coman isn't exactly gettable especially with Ribery and Robben nearing retirement, so that's probably why no one really mentions him on this thread. But, he's a fantastic talent, with a mix of incredible speed and acceleration along with dribbling. However, whenever I've seen him, he's majorly lacked in end product and is a little inconsistent, so I reckon that's why he still doesn't get regular game time at Bayern.
Fair enough. My thoughts were on him the moment I opened this thread. He's got a lot of things that we're missing on the right, but just like you pointed out, the end product isn't always there and getting him is unrealistic.
He is Bayern's Martial. Zero chance of them letting others get to mould him to maturity.
Yea, i thought so too.
 

Hawks2008

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Wouldn't mind if we started Rashford on the right for a bit and see how that works before splashing the cash. Him and Martial on either side of Lukaku could be devastating.
 

sun_tzu

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Brandt has a crazy low buyout clause this summer I think... €12m or something daft
Probably going to end up at bayern and although he can play on the right he has played more games on the left
But at that price he would be worth a go I think
Also he is pretty tall and would fit in with joses giants
 
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Wouldn't mind if we started Rashford on the right for a bit and see how that works before splashing the cash. Him and Martial on either side of Lukaku could be devastating.
It may not turn out to be devastating but since we don't have a natural RF, it may be at least a decent compromise.
 
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