Potential Matic Replacements

[Adnan]

We do have a number of issues with the squad, and paying £100m for a player will limit the amount we can spend on other players. Allan is a great player, but PSG will go after him and he will cost too much for us to strengthen other areas that needs some attention.

Many talented players. Buying midfielders is always risky, since this position is maybe the one most affected by the system the player is in, and is the one that is most difficult to evaluate how a player will perform in a new environment(club, system, other players).

Young promising defensive midfielders:
Ibrahim Sangare (injured for some time now, and might be affected by this).
Rice
Berge
And many more.

Ascacibar is not really that good. Makes some great tackles and will always put in a good effort, but the same can be said about Lee Cattermole.

I've never seen Ascacibar play but just threw his name out there due to afew posters mentioning him.

Allan would be a great signing but not for the price De Laurentiis will ask for. We need a DM that not only can pass to a good level, but also has the energy and drive to get around the pitch ala Kante. I think it's very important he has both qualities.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Why would he cost so much? I think a 50 million offer will do. He is no Sancho and he is 28 years old.

Because he got time left on his contract, is in his prime, highly regarded, PSG is after him, "rumours " state that Napoli wants somewhere in that area, Napoli is not a poor or small club by any means.... Meaning that buying one of their best players will not be cheap.
I do not think there is a club in this world that would not start him if he was in their squad.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

I've never seen Ascacibar play but just threw his name out there due to afew posters mentioning him.

Allan would be a great signing but not for the price De Laurentiis will ask for. We need a DM that not only can pass to a good level, but also has the energy and drive to get around the pitch ala Kante. I think it's very important he has both qualities.

That seriously limits the number of potential players.
Passing and Kante(e)sque mobility. Do not know about such a player that plays as a CDM other than Allan. My best bet here would be to buy a wingback and convert him into a CDM, or maybe a winger.

The passing issue could to some degree be mitigated by having better ball players at FB and not playing Smalling/Bailly.

 

[Mcking]

If Ole wants a player similar to Fernandinho, then Allan is the man we should consider signing.

Allan is no Matic though, but he'd make a good pair with Herrera in a double pivot. Energy, tenacity, ball-wining, intensity. Not bad on the ball either.

 

[Patrick08]

One thing to keep in mind is the Matic replacement doesn't need to be exactly like him, as in it doesn't need to be a big unit CM, there are some very good smaller DM's around.

Like?

 

[Devil may care]

Like?

Well Kante, Fernandinho and Torreira are all much smaller for starters, then there's Allan, Verratti and Ascacibar, even Casemiro isn't a giant, there's Gueye at Everton and Moutinho has been playing the role at Wolves while Jorginho has been at Chelsea and some would argue Ndombele at Lyon, another sub 6 footer. That's just off the top of my head, and one of the best DM's in recent PL history was Mascherano and he was small as well, even Winks has been playing deepest for Spurs at times this season.

 

[SER19]

Verratti would be great. Unpopular shout coming but what are people's opinions on kroos. Badly needs a new challenge and is only 30

 

[FootyGirl88]

Verratti would be great. Unpopular shout coming but what are people's opinions on kroos. Badly needs a new challenge and is only 30

I like Verratti too but I doubt PSG will sell him

 

[CherryBoy]

If only there was a Carrick/Busquets/Xabi Alonso type player out there for us to sign. A combination of excellent defensive abilities with sublime passing. That would be perfect for our midfield. It’s a shame players like that are so hard to find.

Fred

 

[Eleven-Eighteen]

Verratti would be great. Unpopular shout coming but what are people's opinions on kroos. Badly needs a new challenge and is only 30

What's the point? We'd just be in the market back again in a couple of years. Or worse, he fails to adapt to the PL and to United, as Germans often do, and we'll be stuck with a huge wage bill and a lot of unhappy fans

 

[SER19]

What's the point? We'd just be in the market back again in a couple of years. Or worse, he fails to adapt to the PL and to United, as Germans often do, and we'll be stuck with a huge wage bill and a lot of unhappy fans

Yeah a gamble for sure. 2-3 years wouldn't be bad though if there is a genuine hope mctominay garner or Fred can evolve.

 

[SER19]

I like Verratti too but I doubt PSG will sell him

He could kick up a massive sulk I guess but I've heard stories about his motivation so maybe he's happy to phone it in at psg

 

[FootyGirl88]

He could kick up a massive sulk I guess but I've heard stories about his motivation so maybe he's happy to phone it in at psg

He tried that when Barca came calling and the owners sent the heavies round to visit him

 

[MemphisThePie]

Renato Sanches on a cheap next summer.

 

[FootyGirl88]

What did we think of Neves tonight?

 

[Ander herrera the warrior]

What did we think of Neves tonight?

Would have made the difference if he was on our side. You could just see how their passing was much better and that's mainly down to both Neves and Moutinho

 

[jesperjaap]

We do have a number of issues with the squad, and paying £100m for a player will limit the amount we can spend on other players. Allan is a great player, but PSG will go after him and he will cost too much for us to strengthen other areas that needs some attention.

Many talented players. Buying midfielders is always risky, since this position is maybe the one most affected by the system the player is in, and is the one that is most difficult to evaluate how a player will perform in a new environment(club, system, other players).

Young promising defensive midfielders:
Ibrahim Sangare (injured for some time now, and might be affected by this).
Rice
Berge
And many more.

Ascacibar is not really that good. Makes some great tackles and will always put in a good effort, but the same can be said about Lee Cattermole.

Totally disagree on Ascacibar and I notice you mention Declan Rice as a promising central midfielder which I do agree with. Ascacibar excels in certain areas that make Rice promising. He has great postioning and reading of the game and fills in the holes really really well. He does the simple things well in that way like Rice does, like Carrick used to do. He doesnt have the technique of either or calmness on the ball and weight of pass....but he does have a huge heart and desire that reminds me of Gattuso. Feel you could level these kind of Lee Cattermole comments towards Herrera and Torreira for example which would be totally unfair and wrong and for me Ascacibar is already better than both.

Personally dont get why people are saying Allan, his age, the cost. Isnt he just a good player in a good side that is techincal.....like Jorghino was?

Only youtube videos which of course you cant see too much from, but Tonali looks a bit special. Him, Ascacibar or Ndombele would have to be my main choices.

I think Matic has done well for us overall, shields the ball really well, his positioning and reading of the game and calmness on the ball also been very good. I do think he is really sloppy far too often with the ball though and also he doesnt seem to win very many tackles, he only really seems to win the ball when he gets his body between the player and ball....or he fouls.

Now that the honeymoon Ole period seems to be over, regardless of the results I a enjoying watching us play again, the players are performing better and the atmosphere is good......but we are still really not good enough individually in so many areas

 

[Aloysius's Back 3]

Can declan rice pass to a decent level?

Of course not in terms of Carrick or Scholes but better than Herrera?

 

[Moriarty]

McTominay anyone?

 

[deadrevelz]

What did we think of Neves tonight?

Few times during the game I thought how much we could use someone like him... not against Wolves though.

 

[Champagne Football]

James Garner

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Totally disagree on Ascacibar and I notice you mention Declan Rice as a promising central midfielder which I do agree with. Ascacibar excels in certain areas that make Rice promising. He has great postioning and reading of the game and fills in the holes really really well. He does the simple things well in that way like Rice does, like Carrick used to do. He doesnt have the technique of either or calmness on the ball and weight of pass....but he does have a huge heart and desire that reminds me of Gattuso. Feel you could level these kind of Lee Cattermole comments towards Herrera and Torreira for example which would be totally unfair and wrong and for me Ascacibar is already better than both.

Personally dont get why people are saying Allan, his age, the cost. Isnt he just a good player in a good side that is techincal.....like Jorghino was?

Only youtube videos which of course you cant see too much from, but Tonali looks a bit special. Him, Ascacibar or Ndombele would have to be my main choices.

I think Matic has done well for us overall, shields the ball really well, his positioning and reading of the game and calmness on the ball also been very good. I do think he is really sloppy far too often with the ball though and also he doesnt seem to win very many tackles, he only really seems to win the ball when he gets his body between the player and ball....or he fouls.

Now that the honeymoon Ole period seems to be over, regardless of the results I a enjoying watching us play again, the players are performing better and the atmosphere is good......but we are still really not good enough individually in so many areas

At first i thought Rice was only hardworking and effort, but after watching him play he has a good foot and his touch is actually pretty decent.

Ascacibar style of play and abilites are suited for teams not wanting to dominate games. Similar to how we play sometimes against better teams, especially away. Problem is that he is not mobile enough to be efficent against technical good teams to be efficent.

Agree on the bold part.

 

[jesperjaap]

At first i thought Rice was only hardworking and effort, but after watching him play he has a good foot and his touch is actually pretty decent.

Ascacibar style of play and abilites are suited for teams not wanting to dominate games. Similar to how we play sometimes against better teams, especially away. Problem is that he is not mobile enough to be efficent against technical good teams to be efficent.

Agree on the bold part.

Thats fair enough, its opinions, I respect yours, but I do disagree, on the mobile part too He is pretty quick

 

[FootyGirl88]

BUMP!!!!

 

[Ander herrera the warrior]

Sign either Neves/Rice. If we sign Neves, we can either use either Herrera/Fred to partner him. On the other hand, if we sign Rice, we probably need to sign someone like Eriksen/Thiago to play alongside him.

 

[Ekeke]

Sign either Neves/Rice. If we sign Neves, we can either use either Herrera/Fred to partner him. On the other hand, if we sign Rice, we probably need to sign someone like Eriksen/Thiago to play alongside him.

Sounds about right.

Cant imagine us signing Eriksen or Thiago though

 

[deafepl]

Sign either Neves/Rice. If we sign Neves, we can either use either Herrera/Fred to partner him. On the other hand, if we sign Rice, we probably need to sign someone like Eriksen/Thiago to play alongside him.

That's not right. Rice can't play with Thiago as Thiago is always deepest midfielder of trios midfield for Spain and Bayern and control the midfield from deep connecting defence and attack. Matic and Thiago play the same role but Thiago is the better passer, providing creativity, putting good defensive work and very mobiles in midfield and control the games that Matic or Neves would dream of.

If we sign Rice, we'll need Kroos type who can control the games. I think Pogba could play that same role as Kroos but wasted, Rice is not a man who can control the matches for us, he's not Jorginho, Verrarti or Thiago. Pogba and Kroos in the team would be weak defensively and vulnerable to counter-attack. If Pogba willing to play Kroos's role with Rice in the team, we need Modric type who support attack and midfield, covering ground more.

For Neves, it's basically the same thing, he hasn't shown that he can control the games, just better passers than Rice.

Eriksen and Thiago are not the same types of the midfielder. Eriksen plays advanced midfielder for Spurs as same as D Silva for City and Pogba for United.

 

[bucky]

Tyler Adams has impressed so far for Leipzig. Obviously just moved there, but he should be one to keep an eye on.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Long term we have a great internal candidate in Garner.

It’s obviously tempting to look elsewhere particularly at Rice, Neves or even Ndombele but realistically Matic will be here for another season in which time Garner, under our current management (including Carrick) can start to show us if he’s ready for the step up. I think he deserves a shot next season and if he’s below standard maybe then we look to sign someone.

 

[manutd7]

Marco Verratti has to be the number one target for Central Mid position. Guy is an amazing footballer that can dominate a midfield on any given night. So composed on the ball, can make any type of pass, just an all around great player. Only 26 and has yet to resign with PSG (although its more likely he will do that). Feel he would really complete our midfield. Sign him up along with Alderweireld/Varane, Wan-Bissaka, and Sancho/Jovic. Golden my boys

 

[sam147]

60m release clause for Rodri. Done. 6'3 unit, mobile, young, better passing range than both Matic and Herrera. Cant see that happening as we are never linked with him. We need both a DM and a RCM as we are overly reliant on Pogba. Rodri for DM and Rabiot on a free for CM so we can use funds for other positions as well. Also if Pogba leaves we should be looking at Ndombele. The squads in really poor shape.

 

[northender]

Debatable whether he'd be a direct Matic replacement or a further midfield addition, but I think Doucoure would be a good signing for United, and a few of the other top 6 sides in fact.

He chips in with goals for a defensive midfielder and adds power, pace and mobility.

United's midfield has been a bit of a ragbag for a couple of years and needs a bit of a revamp.

 

[Ekeke]

Debatable whether he'd be a direct Matic replacement or a further midfield addition, but I think Doucoure would be a good signing for United, and a few of the other top 6 sides in fact.

He chips in with goals for a defensive midfielder and adds power, pace and mobility.

United's midfield has been a bit of a ragbag for a couple of years and needs a bit of a revamp.

He's no more of a replacement than Fred is.

 

[Judas]

Doucoure would have a huge impact compared to Fred.

 

[Ekeke]

Doucoure would have a huge impact compared to Fred.

Not much in it defensively, even though Fred's numbers are lower due to 4 sub appearances compared to 1.

Doucoure has been better than Fred on the ball this season and going forward with some goals and assists.

Doucoure definitely didnt play DM against us. He's number 16 behind the forwards and just as far up as the side midfielders.

Capoue is 29, the lone DM

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I don't think any of tthe current options i.e. Neves/Dier/Rice are really good enough if I'm honest but I still think we need to replace Matic.

 

[The Nani]

I don't think any of tthe current options i.e. Neves/Dier/Rice are really good enough if I'm honest but I still think we need to replace Matic.

As long as he's not starting. He and Young ruin my day every time they play.

I just think we should extend Herrera and buy the best CM available that fits the profile of player we're after. Worst case scenario Herrera ends up playing DM next season.

At least Neves is capable of dictating play with his passing and movement.

 

[Eleven-Eighteen]

Long term we have a great internal candidate in Garner.

It’s obviously tempting to look elsewhere particularly at Rice, Neves or even Ndombele but realistically Matic will be here for another season in which time Garner, under our current management (including Carrick) can start to show us if he’s ready for the step up. I think he deserves a shot next season and if he’s below standard maybe then we look to sign someone.

Have to disagree with this. Cannot have another season without a high impact player in Matic's midfield role. Cannot allow Matic to be first choice for another season while we develop an untested youngster.

We can replace Matic next season with someone better while still giving Garner enough FA cup and Caribou cup games to develop his play

 

[sideshow_bob]

Florian Grillitsch

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Have to disagree with this. Cannot have another season without a high impact player in Matic's midfield role. Cannot allow Matic to be first choice for another season while we develop an untested youngster.

We can replace Matic next season with someone better while still giving Garner enough FA cup and Caribou cup games to develop his play

I honestly think if you look at our side the biggest issue is offensively our creativity. Matic has another season in him and I’d rather prioritise the signing of an outstanding RW then a DM. Bringing in Rice or the like doesn’t solve our midfield DM he’s been excellent but lacks a lot of experience to be running our midfield. Neves would offer something extra with his creative ability but the cost involved might detract from other targets.

I’m not saying he doesn’t need replacing at all it’s just lower on the list or priorities.

Marco Verratti has to be the number one target for Central Mid position. Guy is an amazing footballer that can dominate a midfield on any given night. So composed on the ball, can make any type of pass, just an all around great player. Only 26 and has yet to resign with PSG (although its more likely he will do that). Feel he would really complete our midfield. Sign him up along with Alderweireld/Varane, Wan-Bissaka, and Sancho/Jovic. Golden my boys

Verratti isn’t the kind of player we’d go for. Shame but it won’t happen.

60m release clause for Rodri. Done. 6'3 unit, mobile, young, better passing range than both Matic and Herrera. Cant see that happening as we are never linked with him. We need both a DM and a RCM as we are overly reliant on Pogba. Rodri for DM and Rabiot on a free for CM so we can use funds for other positions as well. Also if Pogba leaves we should be looking at Ndombele. The squads in really poor shape.

Rodri as you point out is unrealistic so no point mentioning him. Rabiot on a free would be a decent squad player but Ndombele would bring a nice mix of defensive nous and creative ability but he’s not a DM.

Debatable whether he'd be a direct Matic replacement or a further midfield addition, but I think Doucoure would be a good signing for United, and a few of the other top 6 sides in fact.

He chips in with goals for a defensive midfielder and adds power, pace and mobility.

United's midfield has been a bit of a ragbag for a couple of years and needs a bit of a revamp.

Doucouré is a classic physical addition but is limited elsewhere. We don’t need that we need creativity. The whole team needs to improve physically in pre season so we work harder in the press and tracking back. One player cannot solve this.