The snag is you're only allowed to make signings from the PL and clubs outside of the top 6. Can it be done?
5 signings to make us title contenders
- Thread starter charlenefan
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Judging from most people's comments on this forum I'm not sure. My first question is, do we even have six players in our squad that can make our first XI title challengers if these five 'title worthy' signings come in?
Neves - Wolves
Ndidi - Leicester
Pereira - Leicester
Felipe Anderson - West Ham
Zaha - Crystal Palace
I'd say probably no, but hey ho bit of fun ey.
I'd go:
Neves
Doucoure
Wan-Bissaka
Brooks
Maguire
Lacklustre would be the word I think.
If it was me I'd probably say something like this:
Zaha
Maddison
Sessengon
Evans
Maguire
Zaha
Maddison
Sessengon
Evans
Maguire
Good shout actually, forgot about him.
We need to improve and play better as a team. If we manage to do that then 5 players might be enough. Although we might need some luck with injuries.
I would then want
attacking Right back
holding creative midfielder
Box-box attacking midfielder
creative right winger
world class striker
If we get 5 players that all start to perform for us then we could win the league no doubt. I don't see us getting those 5 players though. One world class attacker say Hazard or Mbappe might be enough to see us win many more games against the weaker teams which would be enough to challenge if we can tactically do well in the big games.
To beat City will be hard though and yes we need a much stronger squad to be as good as them.
I would then want
attacking Right back
holding creative midfielder
Box-box attacking midfielder
creative right winger
world class striker
If we get 5 players that all start to perform for us then we could win the league no doubt. I don't see us getting those 5 players though. One world class attacker say Hazard or Mbappe might be enough to see us win many more games against the weaker teams which would be enough to challenge if we can tactically do well in the big games.
To beat City will be hard though and yes we need a much stronger squad to be as good as them.
Chicharito
Zaha
Evans
Barsdsley
Cleverley
Zaha
Evans
Barsdsley
Cleverley
that's the list Zaha deserves to be in. so overrated
No, I really don’t think so.
Get rid of all the dead wood and lazy brutes we have and take a few years to rebuild.
Docoure
Wan Bissaka
Maddison/Brooks
F. Anderson
Cant think of a centre back
Docoure
Wan Bissaka
Maddison/Brooks
F. Anderson
Cant think of a centre back
wan Bissaka
Doucure
Maddisson
Jimenez
F Anderson
Doucure
Maddisson
Jimenez
F Anderson
no I dont think it can be done - I'd take 5 from this 6
RB - Wan Bissaka
CB - Maguire
CM - Neves/Rice
WF - Zaha/Anderson
couple of good signings in there but we need elite attacking players - Felipe Anderson is probably the best of the bunch
Maddison maybe makes a list, Jimenez too
RB - Wan Bissaka
CB - Maguire
CM - Neves/Rice
WF - Zaha/Anderson
couple of good signings in there but we need elite attacking players - Felipe Anderson is probably the best of the bunch
Maddison maybe makes a list, Jimenez too
- Felipe Anderson
- Neves
- Bissaka
- Doucoure
- Richarlison
Line up would be:
De Gea
AWB Lindelof Smalling Shaw
Neves
Doucoure Pogba
Anderson Rashford Richarlison
A little bit underwhelming I know but has potential to win it in the future.
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If I had to give it a go...
Wan-Bissaka (Right Back) - Crystal Palace
Rice (Midfield) - West Ham OR Neves (Midfield) - Wolves
Doucoure (Midfield) - Watford
Felipe Anderson (Forward) - West Ham
These guys are possibilities IMO, but I honestly do not think there is a Centreback better than Smalling outside of the top six no matter who I look at. Even in this scenario you've made, I'd have to break the rules and pick Alderweireld since he looks destined to leave Spurs anyway.
Wan-Bissaka (Right Back) - Crystal Palace
Rice (Midfield) - West Ham OR Neves (Midfield) - Wolves
Doucoure (Midfield) - Watford
Felipe Anderson (Forward) - West Ham
These guys are possibilities IMO, but I honestly do not think there is a Centreback better than Smalling outside of the top six no matter who I look at. Even in this scenario you've made, I'd have to break the rules and pick Alderweireld since he looks destined to leave Spurs anyway.
de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Alderweireld Shaw
Rice/Neves
Doucoure Pogba
F.Anderson Rashford Martial
[/spolier]Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Alderweireld Shaw
Rice/Neves
Doucoure Pogba
F.Anderson Rashford Martial
We can improve and become a future title contender with this probably but not next season.
Like if we get a Van Dijk type impact in defence from any CB, get 2 midfielders who really know how to control games and have excellent technique, then we'll be pretty much ready to just get that missing piece in attack on the right.
- Neves
- Wan Bissaka
- Rice
- Felipe Anderson (not super crazy about him but still an improvement at right wing)
- Who is the best all round CB in the prem outside top 6?
We definitely do. If we're looking at ~2 years from now (imo the soonest we can aim for a proper title challenge as next season is for sure transition with all the changes), then De Gea, Shaw, Lindelof, Dalot, Pogba, Rashford and Martial can all stay in the first 11 (or hopefully Dalot potential wise). Just needs the right signings to compliment them. A world class CB, 2 top midfielders and a top class right winger like Sancho could well do it. But we have to get all 4 of them spot on and have everything else progress normally.
Like if we get a Van Dijk type impact in defence from any CB, get 2 midfielders who really know how to control games and have excellent technique, then we'll be pretty much ready to just get that missing piece in attack on the right.
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God I've missed Evans & ClevzRB - Wan Bisakka - massive improvement at RB
CB - Maguire - Decent defender, better than Smalling? Maybe on the ball.
CDM - Neves - Perfect Matic replacement
CM - Gomes - would offer more than Herrera going forwards
RW - Zaha - Not his prefered position, but i think he'd do great there.
Honestly i think with a balanced RHS, and some creativity in midfield other than from Pogba, we could actually make a title challenge.
Others who would improve squad options - Periera, Ndidi, Tielsman, Dacoure, Felipe Anderson, Richarlison, Deuolfou, Rice, Brooks.
CB - Maguire - Decent defender, better than Smalling? Maybe on the ball.
CDM - Neves - Perfect Matic replacement
CM - Gomes - would offer more than Herrera going forwards
RW - Zaha - Not his prefered position, but i think he'd do great there.
Honestly i think with a balanced RHS, and some creativity in midfield other than from Pogba, we could actually make a title challenge.
Others who would improve squad options - Periera, Ndidi, Tielsman, Dacoure, Felipe Anderson, Richarlison, Deuolfou, Rice, Brooks.
Nice thread idea!
Deolefeu
Pereira
Neves
Richarlison
Maguire
The line up would be
Deolefeu
Pereira
Neves
Richarlison
Maguire
The line up would be
De Gea
Pereira Lindelof Maguire Shaw
Neves
McT Pogba
Deolefeu Rashford Richarlison
I still don't think it would be enough to win the league because the front 3 are not consistent enough.Pereira Lindelof Maguire Shaw
Neves
McT Pogba
Deolefeu Rashford Richarlison
Doucoure
Ndidi
Wan Bissaka
Neves
Richarlison
Ndidi
Wan Bissaka
Neves
Richarlison
Maddison
Neves
Digne (does he count? He's on loan at one of the clubs. If he doesnt count then Ndidi)
Brooks
Bednarek
Neves
Digne (does he count? He's on loan at one of the clubs. If he doesnt count then Ndidi)
Brooks
Bednarek
Wan Bissaka
Maguire
Neves
Zaha
Vardy (its a push and a risk but to be a title contender we need a consistent goalscorer and I can't think of anyone more consistent over a few seasons outside the top 6).
Maguire
Neves
Zaha
Vardy (its a push and a risk but to be a title contender we need a consistent goalscorer and I can't think of anyone more consistent over a few seasons outside the top 6).
I think it's possible if we buy players from abroad. As you suggest in the CB position and I did above, there isn't a CB better than Smalling/Lindelof, or at least, if people rate Maguire I don't think he is a significant enough improvement to see us finish on more points than we would with the best pair we currently have. There are also obviously far better right forward / winger type players available elsewhere as well. I don't think we can poach players from Premier League teams and expect to challenge for the title, but Wan-Bissaka, Neves, Aderweireld, Rice and Doucoure are players who I think we could get and wouldn't be opposed to us signing any of them in the Summer.
However, despite me saying that, I always felt that Fergie tried to get the 'next best thing' or a rival player from a Premier League side when possible to push us on for the next challenge, so maybe it is the best way to get closer to winning the League? You can rattle off a big list of Premier League players that Sir Alex signed which improved our squad and helped us greatly in our successful periods (Cantona, Keane, Pallister, Carrick, Valencia, Tevez, Berbatov, van Persie etc).
Liverpool bought Mane and van Dijk for example and that seems to have worked. City with Stones, Walker, and Sterling has definitely been key in their title wins too.
van Dijk
Sterling
De Bruyne
Mbappe
Messi
Sterling
De Bruyne
Mbappe
Messi
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Rúben Neves
Abdoulaye Doucouré
James Maddison
Callum Wilson
I imagine only AWB and Neves would be the only players we would have an interest in. AWB would certainly take the right-back slot and Neves would take the deeper role in centre midfield.
For me, I'd take Doucouré and move Pogba on ASAP. Say what you want, but Pogba is no where near consistent enough to warrant the circus he brings with him. I think many would be surprised to see how well Doucouré could do here in comparison to Pogba.
Maddison has been bery impressive so far at Leicester and would certainly be an upgrade over Lingard or Mata. His set-piece ability also makes him an added threat. Finally, I can't believe Callum Wilson has not been linked with us considering we could do with an upgrade upfront. Certainly far more clinical than Lukaku and Rashford.
Rúben Neves
Abdoulaye Doucouré
James Maddison
Callum Wilson
I imagine only AWB and Neves would be the only players we would have an interest in. AWB would certainly take the right-back slot and Neves would take the deeper role in centre midfield.
For me, I'd take Doucouré and move Pogba on ASAP. Say what you want, but Pogba is no where near consistent enough to warrant the circus he brings with him. I think many would be surprised to see how well Doucouré could do here in comparison to Pogba.
Maddison has been bery impressive so far at Leicester and would certainly be an upgrade over Lingard or Mata. His set-piece ability also makes him an added threat. Finally, I can't believe Callum Wilson has not been linked with us considering we could do with an upgrade upfront. Certainly far more clinical than Lukaku and Rashford.
Cool, fun topic. 
1. Wan Bissaka (RB, Crystal Palace)
2. Maguire (CB, Leicester)
3. Brooks (CAM, Bournemouth)
4. Richarlison (ATK, Everton)
5. Sessegnoon (LW/LB, Fulham)
6. Doucore (CM, Watford)
DEF ++ (AWB and Maguire)
Potential ++++ (4 young players with good potentials)
*Doucore is a nice versatile squad player with good workrate and decent goals/assists.
EDIT: Still weak though. Title contender? Way off for next season. Future seasons maybe. Unless we pull a Leicester.
1. Wan Bissaka (RB, Crystal Palace)
2. Maguire (CB, Leicester)
3. Brooks (CAM, Bournemouth)
4. Richarlison (ATK, Everton)
5. Sessegnoon (LW/LB, Fulham)
6. Doucore (CM, Watford)
DEF ++ (AWB and Maguire)
Potential ++++ (4 young players with good potentials)
*Doucore is a nice versatile squad player with good workrate and decent goals/assists.
EDIT: Still weak though. Title contender? Way off for next season. Future seasons maybe. Unless we pull a Leicester.
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Guess you didn't read the OP, Only PL teams and they have to be outside top 6
Guess you didn't read the OP, Only PL teams and they have to be outside top 6
Haha to be fair, I didn’t.
I was wondering why people rate the likes of Maguire so much
Those are all nicknames of Leicester playersGuess you didn't read the OP, Only PL teams and they have to be outside top 6
Do people seriously think that all those players would make United compete with City and Liverpool? Half of them wouldn't make their bench let alone first XI.
Ole must be an absolute genius to cope with those players. Most of them are not clearly better than what we already have. It's only because they play regularly and for smaller teams that helps them stand out.
Ole must be an absolute genius to cope with those players. Most of them are not clearly better than what we already have. It's only because they play regularly and for smaller teams that helps them stand out.
It can be done. This squad has not maxed out it's potential due to poor coaching under Mourinho. Plenty of room for improvement.
RB: Ricardo Pereira.
CB: Nathan Ake.
CM: Doucoure
CM: Pereyra
Attacking player: Deulofeu
CB: Nathan Ake.
CM: Doucoure
CM: Pereyra
Attacking player: Deulofeu
No. I dont even think 5 realistic signings overall (in and outside of PL) would make us title contenders next season. We need much more than only signings.
As people mentioned most of the names above me, there are some good players in the league that could help us improve though
As people mentioned most of the names above me, there are some good players in the league that could help us improve though
RB: Wan Bissaka
CB: Maguire
MF: Moutinho
RW: Zaha
ST: Richarlison
RW: Ryan Fraser
CB: Maguire
MF: Moutinho
RW: Zaha
ST: Richarlison
RW: Ryan Fraser
Besides Leicester, has it ever been done where a team so far off the pace goes on to win it the season after?
Nope.
Chelsea, the year after.
......................................De Gea...............................
Wan Bissika.........Lindeloff..............Maguire...........Shaw
............................Matic..................Neves......................
.......................................Pogba......................................
Lingaard...........................Rashford.........................Martial
Romero, Bailly, Dalot, Rice, Fred, Zaha, Lukaku
Grant, Smalling, Young, Mctominy, Periera, Sanchez, Greenwood
With Jones, Laird, Garner, Gomez chong kicking about as well *well when jones isnt injured)
Not sure it would be enough to challenge for the title and would still probably cost something like £250m? so probably far better value signings to be had from elsewhere
Wan Bissika.........Lindeloff..............Maguire...........Shaw
............................Matic..................Neves......................
.......................................Pogba......................................
Lingaard...........................Rashford.........................Martial
Romero, Bailly, Dalot, Rice, Fred, Zaha, Lukaku
Grant, Smalling, Young, Mctominy, Periera, Sanchez, Greenwood
With Jones, Laird, Garner, Gomez chong kicking about as well *well when jones isnt injured)
Not sure it would be enough to challenge for the title and would still probably cost something like £250m? so probably far better value signings to be had from elsewhere
Post the Jose meltdown?