Paulo Dybala

[Nick7]

Why not + 50m if he is so much more talented than Lukaku though?

Why not + 100m? Juve seemingly value him at €100m, that's why.

 

[bosnian_red]

I would love us to get Dybala but this part is not really true. His goalscoring record is not very impressive to be fair.

In what way? In 4 seasons at Juve, he scored 23, 19, 26 and then 10 goals in all competitions, with last season just being a disappointing season from him because of his change in role with Ronaldo arriving (big part of why he is now being allowed to leave).

 

[2cents]

Is Dybala a top player, yes he is..

Do I want us to replace Lukaku with a better player, definitely, I'm just tired of seeing him failed us in link up play and think we're dying for an upgrade. And yes like most of our fans 10 day before the end of the transfer window, I'm desparate for new signings.

However I can't help but be skeptical about this one.

Dybala is a one position player, that's the reason he is not playing for Juventus. Not because he is not good or he didn't settle in Torin. He is a classic number 10. He can't play in wings, can't be a number 9 and he's definitely not an 8. So we have to change our our style of play to accommodate him.

We can't play 4-5-1 with Pogba in a double pivot, we've been here before. We can't play with a Dimond 4-4-2 as we don't have a top class finisher, we can't possibly rely on 2 of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood with Dybala behind two of them for the rest of the season, we still need a top finisher which we don't have, the only finisher we've been linked with was Ben Yedder. And I still can't see our team playing with no width in a 4-4-2 Dimond as both Shaw and AWB aren't famous for their attacking prowess and top crosses.

We can't go back to 3-5-2 with Dybal behind a lone striker like they did in Juventus in 2015-16 when Pogba and Dybala were together and had a great season. Cause simply we don't have proper wing backs to provide the support needed and again, we don't have a top finisher.

I'm just a naive fan who think he knows a thing or two from watching football for almost 30 years. But this looks to me like one for the books not for the game itself.

We aren't lacking in number 10, and no Dybala is not here as an upgrade to Lingard, Pogba himself is a number 10, the thing is, there is no actual need for a classic number 10 anymore in modern football for God's sake! We are very thin in the Middle, we need more DMs and CMs, we need an upgrade for Lukaku, and we need a defender. These positions are the backbone for any football team, and although we can fill other positions too once a chance present itself, it seems odd the bring a player who will create a hassle for us just to accommodate while ignoring our priorities.

I just hope we know what we're doing.

That’s an excellent summary of my doubts about this transfer.

 

[dove]

I’d give them Lukaku+£50m no joke either.

Not exactly sure what Lukaku has done to maintain his transfer fee from 2 years ago but I’m not asking questions.

It's hardly Lukaku's fault we were stupid enough to pay £75m + £15m bonuses to Everton. He is about the level most of us expected him to be. Useless against good opposition but gets his 15 league goals against the rest.

 

[flappyjay]

Why should he be honoured to play for United?

If anybody else wanted him he wouldn't have to get swaped for big Rom. So it's either be a bit part player or come be the focal point of uniteds attack. The alternative is be a bit part player at Juve

 

[Nick7]

It's hardly Lukaku's fault we were stupid enough to pay £75m + £15m bonuses to Everton. He is about the level most of us expected him to be. Useless against good opposition but gets his 15 league goals against the rest.

Do we have any idea if we paid the extra 15m? If we haven't and recoup the 75 happy days.

 

[Jcrossley94]

Why not + 100m? Juve seemingly value him at €100m, that's why.

They quoted spurs €100m didn’t they for him... United are holding out for 80m for lukaku... so lukaku plus 20m makes perfect sense?...

 

[IhabX7]

Dybala cannot play CM wich is a position that needs strengthening, Bruno can.

Dybala is too slow to play RW.

We need to buy players that gives the team more balance and a CB, DM, CM or RW would do that, not a 10 or a false 9.

You don't realize Lukaku is off? His position needs filling too.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Strange opinion tbh. Dybala is far more talented, more proven, much higher ceiling, more dynamic, less likely to flop, addresses our potential goalscoring issues and should give us what we need in the attack. In an attacking sense, he's basically as good as what we could possibly do this summer because of his potential to be one of the best in the world. Fernandes is good, but nowhere near Dybala level or potential, and has a lot more risks associated with him (along with basically playing the same position).

Buying a potentially great player may not be best for the team. Dybala isn't a right winger. It would mean a rethink for the formation Ole is playing atm 4231. He's more 2nd striker than number 10 too. Fernandes fits in better in my opinion to the team. We've made this type of signing before. See what happens.

 

[Treble]

Why not + 100m? Juve seemingly value him at €100m, that's why.

So, they don't value him as much more talented than Lukaku?

 

[dove]

In what way? In 4 seasons at Juve, he scored 23, 19, 26 and then 10 goals in all competitions, with last season just being a disappointing season from him because of his change in role with Ronaldo arriving (big part of why he is now being allowed to leave).

In a team that walks the league every season. Lukaku scored 27 his first season with us but people were still bashing him. Look, I am not saying Dybala won't improve us, I want the swap to happen as Lukaku clearly doesn't fit our team but I just don't agree that Dybala alone would solve our attacking problems.

 

[SATA]

maybe today, he is with the squad apparently

The quicker the better. If not we can move on to other targets

 

[cyberman]

Why is having to change our style of play a bad thing? We're in desperate need of that change
Dybala played really well with Pogba when they played together so all this shoe horning in and problems with his position is nonsense IMO.
We saw how United played last year, we saw that we needed massive changes but it seems posters are gun shy in wanting those change.
Where will he play? Wherever he wants. If he wants to play from the left then its an immediate upgrade.
It appears to me ita difficult to assess our needs or who needs dropped if you're not named Matic or Lingard

 

[bosnian_red]

Given that Ronaldo turns 35 in February and Mandzukic 34 in May (Higuain is old too), why on earth would Juve let a player with such a potential leave them being only 25 y.o.? 99% of the comments on here make Juve look dumb. Which they aren't.

Dybala is a very good player but not that special really. He is as overrated on here as Lukaku is underrated. The swap makes sense for Juve simply because they think that they are of similar quality in their respective positions. Otherwise they'd want Lukaku + 50m or something.

Hes been inconsistent but had a borderline world class season the year before last. Juve is all in to win the CL now and Dybala just doesn't fit next to Ronaldo with Sarri's system that only has space for one player who has the freedom to do as he pleases (Ronaldo). So he would have a squad player role because he's not amazing at just a support/systemic role, but when used as a key player in his best position and with freedom, he absolutely can be world class.

It's more a case of many understating Lukaku, their respective values, and the needs of the clubs. Juve are offloading a bunch of attackers who are aging or don't fit, while Lukaku can replace a few of them in one while being a good age and "guarantees 20 goals a season". They don't need him to be a world class all round footballer, they need a lead the line big striker and theyve been interested in him for years. So it just works for all parties, even though Dybala's potential is far greater.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Base formation 4-2-3-1:

Martial
Rashford/James - Pogba - Dybala
​

When in possession against weaker teams Martial and Rashford gets between the CBs and FBs. Dybala and Pogba drifts towards each side of the central line outside the 18 yard box. Fullbacks taking the wide positions(hoping that they are better at crossing than last season).

Pressing done by forcing the opposition to play the ball to the fullback. Martial on the nearest CB, dependent on side Dybala and Rashford will either pressure the fullback or cover the space around the other CB. Pogba will cut passing lanes, and the two CDM/CM will bridge the gaps. Opposition will either play a long ball or try high risk passes between the lines.

 

[Ole’s Wheel]

There's a hell of a difference between drifting on the flank and being a winger. Inability to understand the difference to that is what saw a decline in Dybala's performance throughout the past years in the same way we've seen Rashford struggling when he was placed in that same situation.

Now lets say we buy Dybala and Bruno. Bruno is best utilised as no 10 just behind the strikers. Play him as a LW or as a CM and he'll become less efficient (ex at Sampdoria). Dybala is either a shadow striker or a striker. At best he's a trequartista. Similarly to Bruno he can play in a different role but he'll start losing his efficiency. So how on earth can we fit them both?

Well in my opinion, we should look at our forward line first. We've got Martial, Rashford, Sanchez, Dybala and Greenwood there aka strikers who drift on the flank. As said, Bruno is most suited as no 10, while Pogba is most suited in a 3 men CM while partnered with a box to box midfielder (Vidal at Juve/Mctominay at United?) and a Pirlo type of player. We don't have that guy so Matic will have to suffice. Considering how flanks kind of suck (runner from the championship, Jesse, Mata, Young, Sanchez whom btw is more comfortable upfront) then Id guess no one will really miss not having wingers.

Now lets have a look at defence. We've got two FBs who are defensively sound (Shaw and AWB), hopefully we'll sign a CB and we've got Lindelof. That should, on paper, be a solid defensive unit which is good enough not to need being helped by wingers backtracking.

So how should we play? Id say a diamond 4-4-2 system is the answer.

Defence: AWB-----Smalling-----Maguire-------Shaw. Its a hell of a solid unit, with AWB/Shaw closing the flanks and Smalling + Maguire winning any cross coming their way. Maguire will be the brains, Smalling will provide the pace alongside AWB.

Midfield: Matic will conduct the orchestra from the back, bringing more inches in the CB if we find ourselves being bombarded by crosses. Pogba can easily play as mezzala, a role he covered superbly at Juventus. He'll be doing what he does with us while keeping an eye to the Left flank. Mctominay will be a more hardworking/less talented version of Pogba on the RCM side.

FWD: Bruno will play as no 10, exploiting the spaces left by Dybala (Right sided striker) and Rashford (left sided striker). Meanwhile Rashford and Dybala will be strikers who'll help up the flanks when defending while moving swiftly to position when attacking. Its similar to the system Juventus used against us when they won 1-0 (Dybala goal)

So in defense we go in a 4-5-1- formation with Rashford and Dybala helping on the flanks & Bruno acting as a false 9. When attacking it goes into a diamond 4-4-2 system with Dybala, Rashy and Bruno bombarding the defence.

Well said

 

[Sambob]

It's hardly Lukaku's fault we were stupid enough to pay £75m + £15m bonuses to Everton. He is about the level most of us expected him to be. Useless against good opposition but gets his 15 league goals against the rest.

The flaw in this theory, because I feel the same too pretty much, is that his national form is crazy good. This means that he CAN do it, but just needs a particular set of players around him.

Doesnt matter though because the fact is that he ISNT doing it, so lets spin the wheel. I think that Dybala who is fast, tricky, and actually can control the ball, will fit so well into our setup.

 

[Nick7]

So, they don't value him as much more talented than Lukaku?

OK.

 

[Andersonson]

Im not sure if he's any better than Romelu, but if they both want to move I suppose its a good deal for both parties

 

[TRUERED89]

There's a hell of a difference between drifting on the flank and being a winger. Inability to understand the difference to that is what saw a decline in Dybala's performance throughout the past years in the same way we've seen Rashford struggling when he was placed in that same situation.

Now lets say we buy Dybala and Bruno. Bruno is best utilised as no 10 just behind the strikers. Play him as a LW or as a CM and he'll become less efficient (ex at Sampdoria). Dybala is either a shadow striker or a striker. At best he's a trequartista. Similarly to Bruno he can play in a different role but he'll start losing his efficiency. So how on earth can we fit them both?

Well in my opinion, we should look at our forward line first. We've got Martial, Rashford, Sanchez, Dybala and Greenwood there aka strikers who drift on the flank. As said, Bruno is most suited as no 10, while Pogba is most suited in a 3 men CM while partnered with a box to box midfielder (Vidal at Juve/Mctominay at United?) and a Pirlo type of player. We don't have that guy so Matic will have to suffice. Considering how flanks kind of suck (runner from the championship, Jesse, Mata, Young, Sanchez whom btw is more comfortable upfront) then Id guess no one will really miss not having wingers.

Now lets have a look at defence. We've got two FBs who are defensively sound (Shaw and AWB), hopefully we'll sign a CB and we've got Lindelof. That should, on paper, be a solid defensive unit which is good enough not to need being helped by wingers backtracking.

So how should we play? Id say a diamond 4-4-2 system is the answer.

Defence: AWB-----Smalling-----Maguire-------Shaw. Its a hell of a solid unit, with AWB/Shaw closing the flanks and Smalling + Maguire winning any cross coming their way. Maguire will be the brains, Smalling will provide the pace alongside AWB.

Midfield: Matic will conduct the orchestra from the back, bringing more inches in the CB if we find ourselves being bombarded by crosses. Pogba can easily play as mezzala, a role he covered superbly at Juventus. He'll be doing what he does with us while keeping an eye to the Left flank. Mctominay will be a more hardworking/less talented version of Pogba on the RCM side.

FWD: Bruno will play as no 10, exploiting the spaces left by Dybala (Right sided striker) and Rashford (left sided striker). Meanwhile Rashford and Dybala will be strikers who'll help up the flanks when defending while moving swiftly to position when attacking. Its similar to the system Juventus used against us when they won 1-0 (Dybala goal)

So in defense we go in a 4-5-1- formation with Rashford and Dybala helping on the flanks & Bruno acting as a false 9. When attacking it goes into a diamond 4-4-2 system with Dybala, Rashy and Bruno bombarding the defence.

Well how the feck does Pep fit, Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gundogan, etc in one team, on paper that looks very unbalanced but they just dominate MF so don't really have to get stuck in, people just over complicate things. I see no problem with Bruno and Dybala being in the same XI!

 

[JJ12]

I smell a flight track coming on in the next 24 hours

 

[AJ10]

Comparing Dybala and Lukaku

 

[WPMUFC]

I'm usually pessimistic, but I think Dybala is all but ours.

Just look at it this simply. The deal between MUFC and Juve is done. They've figured out a swap arrangement. Sarri leaked the story about Dybala not being in his plans to that Italian journo that is essentially Tier 0 for Sarri news. Dybala simply needs to hear that direct from Sarri and we have got him.

This deal is even more nailed on than Maguire....unless all that Sarri talk is BS. Which lets be honest, it's likely not.

 

[bosnian_red]

Dybala cannot play CM wich is a position that needs strengthening, Bruno can.

Dybala is too slow to play RW.

We need to buy players that gives the team more balance and a CB, DM, CM or RW would do that, not a 10 or a false 9.

Bruno Fernandes is not a CM. Hes a #10, just more "midfielder" than the attacker type of #10 that Dybala is. He can't just go in and replace Pogba though, he can't play further back as that's just the complete opposite of what he is.

Dybala can play on the right, hes played plenty of his career there as an inside forward, while being best as a second striker type. Him being able to play in both depending on opponent would suit us perfectly next to Martial and Rashford, and bring the perfect blend of goals and creativity to complement them.

 

[Trophy Room]

In a team that walks the league every season. Lukaku scored 27 his first season with us but people were still bashing him. Look, I am not saying Dybala won't improve us, I want the swap to happen as Lukaku clearly doesn't fit our team but I just don't agree that Dybala alone would solve our attacking problems.

Exactly. Lukaku is a very good goal scorer. He scored goals despite our general play being diabolical. He obviously doesn’t fit Oles style but I think he’ll be a success in Juve.

Dybala is very left footed and his potency will be deemed by how effective we are as a forward unit. I have a feeling he’ll play on the right in a Mata type position which isn’t his strong suit.

 

[Infestissumam]

a small part of me wants this to happen just for the entertainment of Conte missing out on Lukaku for a second time. Am I a bad person?

 

[dove]

The flaw in this theory, because I feel the same too pretty much, is that his national form is crazy good. This means that he CAN do it, but just needs a particular set of players around him.

Doesnt matter though because the fact is that he ISNT doing it, so lets spin the wheel. I think that Dybala who is fast, tricky, and actually can control the ball, will fit so well into our setup.

Most of NT matches in qualification and even the tournaments are against very bad opposition. I have no doubts he can bang 5 goals against the likes of Luxembourg but he struggles against better opposition there as well. Check the teams he scored goals against, very underwhelming.

 

[Trophy Room]

Why is having to change our style of play a bad thing? We're in desperate need of that change
Dybala played really well with Pogba when they played together so all this shoe horning in and problems with his position is nonsense IMO.
We saw how United played last year, we saw that we needed massive changes but it seems posters are gun shy in wanting those change.
Where will he play? Wherever he wants. If he wants to play from the left then its an immediate upgrade.
It appears to me ita difficult to assess our needs or who needs dropped if you're not named Matic or Lingard

That is assuming Pogba will stay.

 

[TRUERED89]

But we would surely be defensively crap! Bruno, Pogba and Dybala like getting forward. All three would want to occupy that AM position at the same time.

What would you suggest then? A better DM? depending on how well our CB's are performing and if McT really steps up, this XI and formation could work rather well!

 

[bosnian_red]

Buying a potentially great player may not be best for the team. Dybala isn't a right winger. It would mean a rethink for the formation Ole is playing atm 4231. He's more 2nd striker than number 10 too. Fernandes fits in better in my opinion to the team. We've made this type of signing before. See what happens.

Doesnt need any sort of rethink, goes in at #10 effortlessly in both a 4231 or a 4312, or as a right inside forward when we go to a 433.

Fair enough if you think Bruno fits better, but they're very far apart in terms of ability and potential and IMO we need more of a Dybala to our attack than we need bruno in midfield. We need a holding mid, not a player like him. Also my opinion but just get the feeling he'd flop at this United, whereas dybala will thrive.

 

[Green_Red]

Why should he be honoured to play for United?

If you dont know the answer to that then why are you even on this forum? Man Utd is one of the biggest football clubs in the world, with a history that goes back to 1878. They've arguably been at the top of the football pyramid for over a century. A football club with a proven track record of turning young players into worldwide superstars. How would it not be an honour to play for United?

 

[Ole’s Wheel]

The flaw in this theory, because I feel the same too pretty much, is that his national form is crazy good. This means that he CAN do it, but just needs a particular set of players around him.

Doesnt matter though because the fact is that he ISNT doing it, so lets spin the wheel. I think that Dybala who is fast, tricky, and actually can control the ball, will fit so well into our setup.

I don’t even care about his goal scoring. He could go on and score 30 goals with whichever team for all I care.

Lukaku’s such a 1 dimensional player he was never United quality to begin with especially considering he was expected to be the focal point in attack. There’s nothing dynamic about his game - work rate is lazy, offers no support in build up play, subpar technical ability, terrible touch, poor decision making. It’s no different than if Mourinho would have won the league with us because at the end of the day it’s just not United quality nor the style we play.

I appreciate Lukaku’s ability to bang in goals but I just don’t appreciate it at Old Trafford. Doesn’t fit the mould of players we aim for and he’s too simplistic being nothing more than a straight line player.

 

[Devil_forever]

He won’t fit into our system and I really can’t see him doing well in the premier league. But let’s just lose our minds like we did with every other big name ill thought out signing we’ve made post Fergie.

 

[devilish]

Well how the feck does Pep fit, Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Gundogan, etc in one team, on paper that looks very unbalanced but they just dominate MF so don't really have to get stuck in, people just over complicate things. I see no problem with Bruno and Dybala being in the same XI!

That's formation basically does that. It gets the best out of each player

 

[StrettyEnder07]

Buying a potentially great player may not be best for the team. Dybala isn't a right winger. It would mean a rethink for the formation Ole is playing atm 4231. He's more 2nd striker than number 10 too. Fernandes fits in better in my opinion to the team. We've made this type of signing before. See what happens.

If he wants a fluid inter changing front 3 surely a left footed top quality player can play as an inside forward and him/Rash can interchange at will, I can't imagine that front 3 will be rigid like it has been.

Can play the tip of the diamond, false 9 instead of Lingard when he splits the strikers (Spurs away etc.), offers us quite a bit IMO

 

[Ballist1x]

Dybala please say yes!

 

[Ole’s Wheel]

I'm usually pessimistic, but I think Dybala is all but ours.

Just look at it this simply. The deal between MUFC and Juve is done. They've figured out a swap arrangement. Sarri leaked the story about Dybala not being in his plans to that Italian journo that is essentially Tier 0 for Sarri news. Dybala simply needs to hear that direct from Sarri and we have got him.

This deal is even more nailed on than Maguire....unless all that Sarri talk is BS. Which lets be honest, it's likely not.

SIUUU

 

[FujiVice]

He won’t fit into our system and I really can’t see him doing well in the premier league. But let’s just lose our minds like we did with every other big name ill thought out signing we’ve made post Fergie.

At the end of the day, football is entertainment. What is wrong with getting excited about a big player coming to your club?

 

[bosnian_red]

In a team that walks the league every season. Lukaku scored 27 his first season with us but people were still bashing him. Look, I am not saying Dybala won't improve us, I want the swap to happen as Lukaku clearly doesn't fit our team but I just don't agree that Dybala alone would solve our attacking problems.

Dybala along with Martial and Rashford in the front 3 and Pogba in midfield would definitely solve the attacking problems IMO. We'd still have defensive issues, but in terms of the attack, it would have a very good balance of goals throughout. Dybala scoring 20+ goals at Juve is not something you can ignore, it's not a system like Barca/Madrid where the best will score bucketloads. His goal tally is purely because that's what he's capable of doing.

 

[Sambob]

I don’t even care about his goal scoring. He could go on and score 30 goals with whichever team for all I care.

Lukaku’s such a 1 dimensional player he was never United quality to begin with especially considering he was expected to be the focal point of attack. There’s nothing dynamic about his game - work rate is lazy, offers no support in build up play, subpar technical ability, terrible touch, poor decision making. It’s no different than if Mourinho would have won the league with us because at theend of the day it’s just United quality.

I appreciate Lukaku’s ability to bang in goals but I just don’t appreciate it at Old Trafford. Doesn’t fit the mould of the players we aim for and he’s too simplistic being nothing more than a straight line player.

Completely agree with that evaluation of him. Not having a first touch is unacceptable at the highest level.

 

[StrettyEnder07]

He won’t fit into our system and I really can’t see him doing well in the premier league. But let’s just lose our minds like we did with every other big name ill thought out signing we’ve made post Fergie.

Jesus imagine being this negative about anything and everything United do, jesus lad