Summer 2019 Midfield Rebuild

[Fer]

If Pogba goes, then I think we could be in for Milinkovic-Savic, and Fernandes. I'm sure we have probably made inquiries about these two players (and probably half a dozen more), but there is a big difference between enquiring, and making a bid, even if the club's have more or less agreed on a price. These 'purchases' I would think would depend on the decision, and I would think well before the transfer deadline, as we don't want to leave ourselves high and dry with a late bid from another club.

Agreed. Maybe that's the reason we have been linked with Eriksen too.

We have been playing 4231. So maybe a DM and a CAM would be better.

 

[AgentP]

Based on the players we have been linked to so far, the options are Longstaff, SMS, Bruno and Dybala. Pogba may or may not stay. Not sure which combination will suit us best. All these players offer different qualities and finding the best balance will be interesting. McTominay will also be in the mix. Matic, Fred and Pereira will probably be options from the bench. It looks like we'll be going for a 4231 this season and not 433 or 442 diamond both of which Ole tried last season. Ideally I would like to see,

Dybala
Pogba Longstaff​

But we might end up with something like

Bruno
SMS McT​

Our top 4 hopes would lie in getting this combination right.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Seems we've taken our eye off this position, but other than the CB this is the most at need, there's a strong argument that we need two players here, yet there's barely a ripple with just a week or so left, surely we're not going to risk it with what we've got.

 

[MrSingh2002]

We probably need Longstaff just as much as Fernandes or Dybala seeing as Matic fell off a cliff.

But if we count on McTominay to be our CDM for the season with Matic as backup then I'd say go and get both Fernandes and Dybala.

First choice

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Maguire Lindelof Shaw
Pogba McTominay
Dybala Fernandes James
Martial​

Second string

Romero
Dalot Tuanzebe Rojo Young
Matic Fred
Mata Lingard Rashford
Greenwood
​

That's enough quality and depth for us to be optimistic about the season. James, Dybala and Fernandes would make the world of difference for our attack. With McTominay showing since the middle of last season that he is ready to step up and be our CDM.

 

[FrenchRed]

What rebuild?

 

[Fosu-Mens]

What rebuild?

Fred is going to suddenly adapt... And stop making brainfarts.
Matic is suddenly going to get fresh and faster legs.
Pereira is suddenly going to find his position on the pitch.
McTominay will stop being a Zero sum player and become Carrick 2.0
Pogba should play as a CAM or in a free role in a midfield trio.

 

[croadyman]

Honestly can't see us signing a midfielder before the window closes which leaves us so light in there

Personally I can't tell if Utd are looking for more creativity or more mobility in that area of the field

The only way one comes in is if something too good to turn down crops up next week but have very little hope of that happening.

 

[settembrini]

Are we even being linked to any realistic midfielders? I get the impression that Fernandes was an option but perhaps only if Pogba left and Newcastle's £50m valuation of Longstaff is obviously a no go.

 

[croadyman]

I will probably be completely wrong but just got this feeling something unexpected might crop up in regards to a CM next week.

I am fully aware these words will probably come back to haunt me and happy to take the L if that happens.

 

[Noc-Z]

I feel like no CM signing will be made (I actually feel that our business is done tbh - no more signings at all).

We totally do need more quality in midfield, but I can almost understand why the board/Ed would say no as we have Pogba, Fred, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Matic and Pereira.

Now we all know that's not good enough but to the money men looking at it, they'll say you've got 7 players there that can fill 3 midfield positions.

I think across the entire squad we're in a sell to buy position because of pure numbers.

Atrocious state of a squad but that's the way I see it.

CD is the same....Bailly, Jones, Lindelof, Rojo, Smalling and Tuanzebe to fill 2 positions? And we want to spend around 80M on Maguire?

Horrific state of affairs at Man Utd. I think only Man City have spent more than us over the last 5/6 years. So there has been investment we've just recruited horrifically.

If you had the purse strings wouldn't you say we spent 50M on Fred last year...make it work?

I know we need better quality but I can see the major problems with it.

 

[witchtrials]

First choice

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Maguire Lindelof Shaw
Pogba McTominay
Dybala Fernandes James
Martial​

Second string

Romero
Dalot Tuanzebe Rojo Young
Matic Fred
Mata Lingard Rashford
Greenwood
​

I really think you're going overboard putting James into our best eleven ahead of Rashford.

 

[Bestietom]

Seems we've taken our eye off this position, but other than the CB this is the most at need, there's a strong argument that we need two players here, yet there's barely a ripple with just a week or so left, surely we're not going to risk it with what we've got.

I certainly hope not. We need to address this area, and before deadline day.
Fred, - Not good enough
Matic ,- Too slow
Pereira,- Not good enough
Garner,- Not tried

This leaves:-
McTominay,- Can't do it on his own
Pogba,- Don't know what is going to turn up.

If Pogba goes, Then we are in serious trouble. This is what Ole is afraid of with Spain transfer window still open until Sept. 2nd

 

[MrSingh2002]

I really think you're going overboard putting James into our best eleven ahead of Rashford.

Just thinking of making a balanced team rather than all out attack. If Dybala was to sign I'd give him more of a free role and play someone workmanlike on the opposite wing.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

I certainly hope not. We need to address this area, and before deadline day.
Fred, - Not good enough
Matic ,- Too slow
Pereira,- Not good enough
Garner,- Not tried

This leaves:-
McTominay,- Can't do it on his own
Pogba,- Don't know what is going to turn up.

If Pogba goes, Then we are in serious trouble. This is what Ole is afraid of with Spain transfer window still open until Sept. 2nd

We start the season badly, no Dybala transfer. Can see Pogba demanding a transfer to Madrid. And the board/Woody accepting it. And then we can say goodbye to top 4 and most likely top 6. And most fans will blame the manager.

That being said, some of us on here have stated since last season that our biggest issue to address is the central midfield. What has been done? Nothing. Even though it is the hardest position on the pitch to scout, evaluate and identify ideal targets and a perfect fit, one can easily find "balancing midfielders" that can do most elements of the game and would improve our current starting options(PP not included). I think that an objective, footballinterested fan could have identified 10-15 targets within 10 hours after Herrera to PSG was done. Targets that were affordable, might be willing to come and would have improved our central midfield.

 

[Igor Drefljak]

I'd actually love to see this line up.
It may feel weak in midfield, but if we push up, play aggressive pressing as a team, I could really see this working.

Without the ball
Rashford - Bruno - McTom - Pogba - Martial
Dybala

With the ball
McTom
Bruno - Pogba
Dybala
Rashford - Martial
​

Bruno is a hard worker. Pogba has all the physical attributes to make himself a nuisance when defending.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

I'd actually love to see this line up.
It may feel weak in midfield, but if we push up, play aggressive pressing as a team, I could really see this working.

Without the ball
Rashford - Bruno - McTom - Pogba - Martial
Dybala

With the ball
McTom
Bruno - Pogba
Dybala
Rashford - Martial
​

Bruno is a hard worker. Pogba has all the physical attributes to make himself a nuisance when defending.

So, either PP dropping deep to help the build up or McTominay suddenly being able to do this?

For the record, that team is extremely unbalanced.

 

[Bestietom]

We start the season badly, no Dybala transfer. Can see Pogba demanding a transfer to Madrid. And the board/Woody accepting it. And then we can say goodbye to top 4 and most likely top 6. And most fans will blame the manager.

That being said, some of us on here have stated since last season that our biggest issue to address is the central midfield. What has been done? Nothing. Even though it is the hardest position on the pitch to scout, evaluate and identify ideal targets and a perfect fit, one can easily find "balancing midfielders" that can do most elements of the game and would improve our current starting options(PP not included). I think that an objective, footballinterested fan could have identified 10-15 targets within 10 hours after Herrera to PSG was done. Targets that were affordable, might be willing to come and would have improved our central midfield.

Agree.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Agree.

The scouting/recruitement department at this club is pathetic. Could have hired the guys at Tifo Football, and they would have done a better job.

 

[Igor Drefljak]

So, either PP dropping deep to help the build up or McTominay suddenly being able to do this?

For the record, that team is extremely unbalanced.

You say unbalanced, but if we played in a similar way to how City would ideally line up when having the chance they'd play

Fernandinho
De Bruyne - Silva
Silva - Aguero - Sterling
​

Obviously Fernandinho is a better defensive midfielder than McTominay, but you can argue De Bruyne and Silva want to be just as further forward as Bruno and Pogba would like to be.
The reason it works is because they play a high line without the ball. It squeezes the pitch.

With Mourinho, we played deep, our defensive midfielder in retreat took up similar positions as the City back line.
Squeeze the opposition into their own half, less room, requires less room for the likes of Pogba to have to cover.

Going forward, so much can happen in the build up. Whether Pogba pushes forward or Bruno.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

You say unbalanced, but if we played in a similar way to how City would ideally line up when having the chance they'd play

Fernandinho
De Bruyne - Silva
Silva - Aguero - Sterling
​

Obviously Fernandinho is a better defensive midfielder than McTominay, but you can argue De Bruyne and Silva want to be just as further forward as Bruno and Pogba would like to be.
The reason it works is because they play a high line without the ball. It squeezes the pitch.

With Mourinho, we played deep, our defensive midfielder in retreat took up similar positions as the City back line.
Squeeze the opposition into their own half, less room, requires less room for the likes of Pogba to have to cover.

Going forward, so much can happen in the build up. Whether Pogba pushes forward or Bruno.

City can play that way because they are possession-based, and when they lose the ball, the opposition is pushed so far back that they have difficulties in starting a counter. Also, they have proper spacing between the players, and they know their positions and how to defend and attack as a unit.

United, on the other hand, have a number of players with less than desired ability on the ball and in the passing game, OGS is not a manager that thinks that having possession is vital, the team has yet to show the same unity in regards to pressing, defending and attacking that City showcases, and we are not going to see this with the players and managers that we have.

Can't compare them.

 

[Bestietom]

The scouting/recruitement department at this club is pathetic. Could have hired the guys at Tifo Football, and they would have done a better job.

Yeah, 63 of them and they can't spot a good player, What chance have we got with this lot. If we don't get 2 midfielders in, even if Pogba stays, we will struggle.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Yeah, 63 of them and they can't spot a good player, What chance have we got with this lot. If we don't get 2 midfielders in, even if Pogba stays, we will struggle.

Among those we have only Pereira and McTominay that might be able to do the task.

Pereira got the technical abilities, can pass. If he is able to calm down and find his position, then he might function as our passer.
McTominay should be able to function in the role Matic has previously done. Need to improve his technical ability and passing range, as well as his ball handling speed(from receiving the ball until a pass has been made).

Still, highly unlikely. Get Marc Roca and Grillitsch in and the starting midfield is good. Should not cost more than Maguire combined.

 

[Smores]

Yeah, 63 of them and they can't spot a good player, What chance have we got with this lot. If we don't get 2 midfielders in, even if Pogba stays, we will struggle.

Is this no longer the managers job now Ole is in charge? As far as I'm aware we haven't got a DoF yet so it's his job.

I hope Ole identified more players than just Fernandes and Longstaff but then the question is why we've heard so little movement on targets. Same shit as last summer which leads you to believe Woody has been throwing out the vetos again.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

United had 7 midfielders last season. 2 left; leaving 5. 2 of 5 are academy graduates; still unproven at the highest level. Another was recruited from Ukraine; which isn't exactly the highest level. The 4th saw his form drop off massively. The last would like to leave.

Is Ole's return to roots, 'United way' also a return to last decade when United often played with wingers and defenders in central midfield?

 

[Fer]

We are going to continue with the midfield problem next season. Mainly if Pogba leaves. There are a lot of good players we can sign fot the No.10 position in the 4231 formation Ole is implementing.

But, If we sell Pogba next season, what would be your dream midfield of 2?

 

[rotherham_red]

We aren't selling Pogba, especially since Real are going to get Van de Beek. Why even bother with that hypothesis?

 

[AneRu]

I feel like no CM signing will be made (I actually feel that our business is done tbh - no more signings at all).

We totally do need more quality in midfield, but I can almost understand why the board/Ed would say no as we have Pogba, Fred, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Matic and Pereira.

Now we all know that's not good enough but to the money men looking at it, they'll say you've got 7 players there that can fill 3 midfield positions.

I think across the entire squad we're in a sell to buy position because of pure numbers.

Atrocious state of a squad but that's the way I see it.

CD is the same....Bailly, Jones, Lindelof, Rojo, Smalling and Tuanzebe to fill 2 positions? And we want to spend around 80M on Maguire?

Horrific state of affairs at Man Utd. I think only Man City have spent more than us over the last 5/6 years. So there has been investment we've just recruited horrifically.

If you had the purse strings wouldn't you say we spent 50M on Fred last year...make it work?

I know we need better quality but I can see the major problems with it.

Agree with you re-recruitment, but that's the result of having three dramatically different managers with control over transfer policy. If we don't make a proper CM signing then I can see midfield letting us down the same way central defense did us last season. Unless there is a significant upturn in form, I see Fred and Matic costing us dearly. Hopefully McT continues with is rich vein of form. Ideally we sign a proper DM and use McT as a box to box mid with Pogba playing the free role in a 4-2-3-1.

 

[Devil may care]

It looks like instead of rebuilding midfield we have let it crumble, we only have 4 proper CM's as Pereira is not a CM, and really it's only 3 as Matic is near useless at this point.

Pogba - The only top class CM we have but moody and doesn't seem to want to be here.

Matic - Dead food.

Fred - Still an enigma, incredibly erratic player.

McTominay - Solid squad player.

 

[LuckyScout78]

3 previous managers didnt succeed and survive because of the big cm midfield hole Scholes and Keane left. The day those two positions havent been replace with the same level and top quality. United will not be back on the top and will not win the premier league.

If Ole will not do the same. I don’t think Ole will succeed here too. Every ingredients of a successful team have to been in place. And special the central line and spine. If your cm are weak or average, then you are done. And gone had with the 3 previous managers.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

I'd actually love to see this line up.
It may feel weak in midfield, but if we push up, play aggressive pressing as a team, I could really see this working.

Without the ball
Rashford - Bruno - McTom - Pogba - Martial
Dybala

With the ball
McTom
Bruno - Pogba
Dybala
Rashford - Martial
​

Bruno is a hard worker. Pogba has all the physical attributes to make himself a nuisance when defending.

Not sure how to break this to you...

Anyway, can someone give me a quick update where we are with this rebuild?

 

[Redcy]

Not sure how to break this to you...

Anyway, can someone give me a quick update where we are with this rebuild?

Fecked I think.

It’s clear our transfer season is over unless longstaff is our Hail Mary, in which case this season is going to be long and boring.

 

[Siddharth]

Sell Lukaku, buy a DM (Longstaff) and a goalscoring AM (Bruno). Use Sanchez as a striker only please as he is done as a winger.

 

[humdinger]

Sell Lukaku, buy a DM (Longstaff) and a goalscoring AM (Bruno). Use Sanchez as a striker only please as he is done as a winger.

If we actually did this it would end up a brilliant window.

 

[Zoo]

Just buy a defensive midfielder. Please.

 

[ManchesterYoda]

Gueye seems to be very rated by a lot of people in this forum. Everytime I looked him play he only seemed to be more of a contention midfielder than anything else. I don0t think he could offer that much into our midfield.

I think we could hire better solutions outside the EPL and at a better price.

He's defensively very strong. None of our midfielders are defensively strong.

 

[Cassidy]

I'm worried

 

[ohhrooney]

We are fecked aren't we?

Even Everton and Leicester has a better midfield than us. I hope Ole has a new formation / system invented where midfielders don't matter anymore just like how Pep made strikers irrelevant. Because with the midfield we have, even 6th looks far far away.

One injury to Pogba and our season is good as over.

 

[ManchesterYoda]

Longstaff isn't defensively strong. So how would Longstaff improve us exactly?

 

[Patrick08]

How poor the decision was to let go of Herrera ?

 

[Bearded One]

A 4-4-2 diamond will maximize the abilities of our current and potential players.

Martial Rashford
Dybala
Pogba Bruno
Matic
Shaw Maguirre Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
De Gea

​