Summer 2019 - What’s Acceptable?

[Lentwood]

We appear to have a clear divide on this forum;

Poster 1. “The Glazers have been penny-pinching and the recent ‘spending spree’ figures are artificially inflated by the fact we spent so little for so long and transfer inflation” (My View)

Poster 2. “The Glazers have spent more than enough money and the problem is various managers have wasted it”

This is not another thread debating the above viewpoints.

The purpose of this thread is to determine now what the general consensus is on what an acceptable level of spending is in the summer transfer window

Now I get that people will say “it’s not the level of investment, it’s getting it right” which is obviously fair but the counter-argument is that if we do pick up a few bargains, more should be spent elsewhere as we clearly need several players

It’s also not a thread to debate WHO we should sign, I believe the club should have a long-list of targets given the number of scouts we employ and our obvious weaknesses in certain positions

So - what do we all broadly agree is an acceptable level of ambition in terms of investment?

I’ll start the bidding at £200m for the following reasons;

- We spent a pitiful amount last summer

- We have struggled this season and underachieved

- We can’t argue the manager doesn’t have the confidence of the Board as he’s just been appointed!

- Two regular starters are approaching mid-30s, several players are out of contract and Valencia will not be renewed

 

[Ian Reus]

We need to spend a decent amount on maybe 4 starters and also 2 back up.

We also need to get rid of players who definitely do not add any value to us any more and we absolutely must keep our best players.

 

[AndyJ1985]

It'll be unacceptable if we start next season with Young as our full back, or Mata/Lingard as our RW. There's more we need, but those two areas are fundamentally broken and need urgently fixing.

 

[breakout67]

We finished 2nd with a 19 point gap and got knocked out in the final 16 of the CL. This means substantial investment was needed to bridge the gap between us and the best teams out there. We spent a pittance. We are once again nowhere near the top teams and so substantial investment is required.

Every time we look to make progress, we underspend. LVG qualified for the CL in his first season and was rewarded with a measly £50m net spend the next season. Mou got us to 2nd place and was rewarded with a measly £50m net spend.

I am confident in saying that the leadership does not want to take the necessary risks in the market to be at the top. They are content with CL money.

 

[Ekeke]

Neither.

Weve spent a lot, didnt get the most out of it and now we have a new start with a new manager who needs to be given the chance to get his own players in just like LVG and Mourinho did. He's already shown he can get more out of the players than Mourinho did, so he obviously needs to be given cash like they were to make the adjustments he thinks we need.

 

[BaseFishing]

I just wanna have a good time, maybe on a beach somewhere, surrounded by some friends. Just good vibes, you know. Good summer vibes.

 

[sam147]

I dont think it should be quantified into a certain amount of money. More about smart business. Whats acceptable, shouldn't only include the money spent, but the type of signings, the ages and the positions. Also the time we sign them by, we cannot wait until the final few weeks. If we can sort out the team for less than 200m then its acceptable. However, thats impossible.

We need a RB, CB, Back up LB, DM, CM and RW. If we sign a RB (Wan Bissaka), CB (Skriniar), DM (Rice), CM (Rabiot/Ndombele), RW (Sancho/Lozano). Thats perfect. However, a CB, RB, RW would be acceptable providing they are of the right quality. There is no point spending huge sums on players who will come in and not improve the team. That being said I can look at the bottom 5 in the league and see players I would take.

 

[AndyJ1985]

We finished 2nd with a 19 point gap and got knocked out in the final 16 of the CL. This means substantial investment was needed to bridge the gap between us and the best teams out there. We spent a pittance. We are once again nowhere near the top teams and so substantial investment is required.

Every time we look to make progress, we underspend. LVG qualified for the CL in his first season and was rewarded with a measly £50m net spend the next season. Mou got us to 2nd place and was rewarded with a measly £50m net spend.

I am confident in saying that the leadership does not want to take the necessary risks in the market to be at the top. They are content with CL money.

Sorry but we can't be accused of under-spending. We spend plenty, but we are guilty of wasting most of it on rubbish. We had money to spend last summer, but Mourinho wanted to waste it on players who would have barely made a difference. Thankfully Woodward was having none of it.

Since Ferguson left we have outspent almost every club in the world. If that money had been spent wisely we would have been challenging City & Liverpool this season.

 

[Minimalist]

Whatever Solskjaer (genuinely) wants to hit his targets next season.

Not going to start mentally masturbating over total money spent or particular players - that's a complete waste of time.

 

[lex talionis]

I don't know how to answer the question as to what is "an acceptable level" of spending this summer, but trying to realistic but still being ambitious I would say the following would be outstanding acquisitions to address key needs:

Jadon Sancho
Matthijs De Ligt
Ruben Neves

In that order.

Yes, I understand that it probably requires a spend of close to 300m for those three players and for that reason alone it may not happen. Maybe the 200m figure is real, plus whatever we can bring in from sales. (My mind cannot comprehend the possibility of selling Pogba.)

Sancho for me far and away the most important of these hypothetical acquisitions. As much as we respect Lingard's and Mata's contributions they're simply not in Sancho's league as an offensive threat from the right. Both serve fantastically as squad players but that's it.

De Ligt is young, but he'd slot right and be our top CB in a matter of months, if not weeks.

Neves knows his way around the PL and would be a substantial upgrade over the aging Matic.

Others might argue we need a RB as well and I understand that, but the RW, CB and DM spots are more critical IMHO. And I just don't see us bringing in 4 new starters going into next season.

 

[sideshow_bob]

Acceptable would be new faces. Especially on that entire right flank.

I'm so sick of Darmian, Valencia, Young, Lingard, Mata, Herrera pretending like they belong on that side of the pitch.

Acceptable would be to clear out the deadwood from our squad this summer. Nevermind if the market is broke & we have to source for replacements from the academy. Be brave & kick out the underperforming, overpaid old guard.

I just wanna have a good time, maybe on a beach somewhere, surrounded by some friends. Just good vibes, you know. Good summer vibes.

 

[mav_9me]

Need Sancho, new CB and I was thinking of spending upto 200m on both but now feel like we need to replace Matic too.

 

[bosnian_red]

A right winger and 2 midfielders. Would be happy with just that for now if we get the right players in (a Matic replacement (Neves/Rice?) and a quality midfielder who is technically very good so our midfielders don't shit themselves under pressure - see City's midfield with Gundogan/KdB/Silva/Silva whenever they're under pressure, and then obviously Sancho is the dream for the right winger). That would probably take 200m at least, which is more than doable. Especially when you consider that we'll either lose on a free or sell (either way drop them from wages):

• Sanchez (hopefully)
• Rojo
• Darmian
• Mata
• Herrera
• Valencia
• De Gea? (hopefully not)
• Pereira (maybe)
• Bailly?
• Fred?
• McTominay (loan?)

I'd guess the first 6 leave for sure, hope De Gea stays, question marks on if Bailly/Pereira/Fred will stay or are good enough, but reckon they'll stay. Still, a lot of wages gone in the first group. So the money is there.

 

[el3mel]

Anything less than 4 top players going straight into our starting lineup is unacceptable for me. A midfielder, defender, right winger and right back to say the least. That will be at least 200m unless we're penny pinching or going for cheap options.

 

[ManRed]

3 signings will be acceptable if they are for the right positions. Sancho, Neves and decent RB would cost around 200 million and will improve our starting lineup greatly.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Address the problem so we can challenge the league. That should be what we need to do. Realistically it’s possible to sign 3 quality starters minimum. Midfield, RW & centre back. I’m not saying we will for sure sort out the problem with those only 3 signings but I think we can be considered as strong title contender at the start of season with those additional.

 

[charlenefan]

Ultimately what's acceptable is if Ole gets the majority of what he wants, as fans it's little point us saying nothing less than finally getting a RW is acceptable if Ole is perfectly happy continuing to play Lingard out there

 

[ValenciaRocks]

3 signings will be acceptable if they are for the right positions. Sancho, Neves and decent RB would cost around 200 million and will improve our starting lineup greatly.

This, with the RB being Wan-Bissaka. Frothing already at the idea of Wan-Bissaka and Sancho ruling the right side of the field. Bonus that they're young and English too... if we can generate some funds from selling a few players then De Ligt too... although he looks set for Barca or Juve.

I'd imagine prices would be something like:

Sancho: 70M
Nevez: 80M
Wan-bissaka: 50M
De Ligt: 80-100M

If we sell De Gea and/or Pogba then I'd expect us to invest heavily to replace them.

Players to go:
Darmian
Sanchez
Matic
Young (or at least be benched)
Valencia (retiring)
Rojo


So yeah a successful summer would be clearing the deadwood and buying quality young players who can make a difference.

Get it done Woodward, forget about the toothpaste sponsors!

 

[Giggs' right foot]

This, with the RB being Wan-Bissaka. Frothing already at the idea of Wan-Bissaka and Sancho ruling the right side of the field. Bonus that they're young and English too

Those of you wanting Wan-Bissaka: is it because you don’t rate Dalot? I think Dalot has what it takes to be a world class RB so I’d much prefer buying a RB in his prime so Dalot can learn and take over in two or three years.

 

[AgentP]

200m net spend. It's a lot but that's what is needed to catch up with the top two.

 

[11101]

We desperately need a top CB to partner Lindelof and a new right back to replace Young. We cannot go into the new season without those. Hopefully Dalot ticks one of the boxes but if not thats 100m right there.

We also need a right forward and a good young midfielder to prepare to replace Matic, which is another 50m at least.

 

[ValenciaRocks]

Those of you wanting Wan-Bissaka: is it because you don’t rate Dalot? I think Dalot has what it takes to be a world class RB so I’d much prefer buying a RB in his prime so Dalot can learn and take over in two or three years.

I do rate Dalot very highly too. He has a meanacing cross on him but defensively yet to be convinced. I think it's always good to rotate players and I can't see any reason why we can't have both. Perhaps one of them could be used as a left back too which provides cover for Shaw who is succeptable to injuries.

I could also see Wan-Bissaka as a defensive midfielder, he looks very good on the ball and his tackles are unbelievable.

 

[Devils11]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

If we don't spend a lot, it's clear the Glazers/Woodward are fine with just top 4 finishes then.

Young better not be our starting RB next season.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

This isn't even possible in FM much less in real life.

 

[Eleven-Eighteen]

I can tell you what's unacceptable - not getting a solid RW.

It's been countless games now where mediocre teams have been able to crowd our midfield by pressuring the only outlets we have up top - namely LW and CF, or a high placed CM. This needs to end and we need a RW to do that

 

[chromepaxos]

I suspect that our spend is going to limited by who is available/wants to join, rather than by the Glazers.

If De Ligt decides to go to Spain and Dortmund won't sell Sancho will we be happy with Rice, Bissaka and Lozano? In that scenario, we would be better than this season for sure, but competitive with City and Pool?

 

[RG 11]

Get a solid RW and RB and a good squad player as a Matic backup (assuming Herrera stays) and I think that's acceptable.

Ideal summer would be 4 starters (RW, RB, CM, CB)

 

[Wallez]

I do not care how much money we spend this summer, my only hope is that we get rid for players that doesn't contribute to our development towards being a top team again, and replace them with players that do. We need young players with solid abilities combined with hunger and mentality that will make them develop into world class players within a few years. I hope we steer clear of players like Alderweireld, Bale and Kroos this summer, I would rather see us building for the future with players like Wan-Bissaka, Sancho, Hudson-Odoi, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Aouar, Barella, Jovic, etc.

 

[Ish]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

Wow. Basically an entire starting XI.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

There's knee jerk and then there's this!

Pure comedy gold!

 

[Raw]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

Are you fecking kidding me

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

I hope to see a mix of getting in cheaper players that can do a job and 1-2 top quality ones. We need to improve our overall squad so we can rotate more and also pick a team based on the opposition a lot more.

 

[AaronRedDevil]

I just want united to buy Jadon bloody Sancho. Anything after that is a bonus.

 

[AaronRedDevil]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

It's comments like this, is why new members gotta get 8 likes just for the general forum

This isn't FIFA mate.

 

[deadrevelz]

Ultimately it doesn't matter how much money we spend, it's about getting the right players. It's also dependant on the ambition of the club.

Challenge for PL / CL next season - Net spend: 350m
Buy: RB, CB, DM, CM, RW, LW
Keep: DDG, Pogba and Herrera.
Out: TFM, Rojo, Pereira, Sanchez, Darmian, Valencia

Top 4 + domestic cup challenge - Net spend: 140m
Buy: DM, CM, RW
Keep: DDG, Pogba and Herrera.
Out: Lukaku, TFM, Rojo, Pereira, Sanchez, Darmian, Valencia

 

[Nuts]

I actually think if Solskjær gets it right he wouldn’t need that many players.

Too many marquee signings have been flops - to lesser or greater degrees - and I think he needs one marquee signing that he absolutely nails, a couple of other decent signings and if this is combined with continued guts to play kids he’d be getting somewhere.

We can’t afford another Falcao, Di Maria, Sanchez disaster. And the juries out on a lot of other post-Fergie signings too.

It’s all down to Ole - if he gets what he does right we don’t need more than 3-4 players to regenerate this team.

 

[deadrevelz]

I suspect that our spend is going to limited by who is available/wants to join, rather than by the Glazers.

If De Ligt decides to go to Spain and Dortmund won't sell Sancho will we be happy with Rice, Bissaka and Lozano? In that scenario, we would be better than this season for sure, but competitive with City and Pool?

Lozano looks crap, Rice isn't ready to replace Matic and will be expensive. Bissaka would be a slight upgrade on Dalot but I would rather have a more experienced RB. So no I wouldn't be happy at all. Considering other clubs will be improving their squads too we may fall further behind.

 

[Ole90+3]

The current squad has gone stale. Many players need to go.
Sell Pogba. His head has been turn by Real. He won't stay at Utd for long. Exchange for Rodriguez + Isco + Kroos.
Sell De Gea, Mata, Herrera, Sanchez, Valencia, Rojo, Darmian, Bailly, Matic, Jessie.
Buy Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Rabiot, De Ligt, Sancho/Douglas Costa, Bissaka, Rice/Neves.

This transfer muppet is in for a long and disappointing summer.

 

[Leftback99]

I'd be happy with two signings that are clear first XI starters. Anything else is a bonus. It will take a few windows of getting our signings spot on to catch City and Liverpool.