No midfield reinforcements

[Ranchero]

One day before the end of the transfer window and it looks like we will not be strengthening our poor midfield.

It baffles me that the Fernandes speculation appears to be just that and then we are and then we are not interested in Eriksen of Spurs.

Seems Eriksen is interested in Spain.

Coutinho available but no word of a United interest.

And there will be concerns over whether Pogba leaves because he is the only midfielder of real quality we have.

Meanwhile there has been briefings to the BBC that we are in talks with other targets but as the window closes at 5pm on Thursday, there is an acknowledgment the chance of completing deals is not high.

Why do we always seem to be in this desperate position.

Meanwhile Spurs who are far better in that department have strengthened and are looking to improve even more.

Even City's mint midfield has been added to.

And if Lukaku goes for cash that will in effect pay for Maguire with no plans for a replacement.

So replacing Herrera and Fellaini is not looking on at all.

While the defensive acquisitions are welcomed and required the badly needed reinforcements in that midfield engine room will leave us desperately short with even the likes of Wolves ( who have been quietly cunning and effective in this window), Leicester (with Tielemans in tow) and Arsenal looking healthier in that department.

Anyone who thinks a McTominay-Matic axis is good enough has to be living in a fairy tale land.

If Lukaku goes our net spend in this restructure will be £65m. A drop in the football ocean and not what we were expecting. And really more of the same old story.

I hope with 24 hours to go that a rabbit or maybe even two will be removed from Woodward's hat.

 

[charlenefan]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/our-midfield.449234/

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Scott McTominay (DM), Paul Pogba (Box to Box) & Angel Gomes (AM)

 

[thesheriffjw]

I reckon there will be one more signing, but more hopefully two.

The way lukaku is behaving is disgraceful. Sulking and whining as he is not first choice.

Utd definitely need a midfielder and i really believe one will come in.

My only problem is the fact, one or more players will go after UK transfer window closes.

 

[Ian Reus]

In before a midfielder.

 

[Ekeke]

Scott McTominay (DM), Paul Pogba (Box to Box) & Angel Gomes (AM)

Best of luck to the defense, they're going to need it. Would be exciting to see Gomes and Pogba attacking together though

 

[RkkMan]

Anyone else felt we're not prioritizing CM cause of our current 4-2-3-1 formation? We have 4CMs competing for the pivot(Pogba, Mctominay, Fred, Matic) and several no10s(Mata, Andreas, Gomes, Lingard)

 

[romufc]

I reckon there will be one more signing, but more hopefully two.

The way lukaku is behaving is disgraceful. Sulking and whining as he is not first choice.

Utd definitely need a midfielder and i really believe one will come in.

My only problem is the fact, one or more players will go after UK transfer window closes.

Hopeful, all reports suggesting our summer is done now.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/investment-investment-investment.445055/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/its-pre-season-and-we-are-in-dire-straits.448766/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/has-ole-given-up-on-next-season-already.447446/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/groundhog-day-as-transfer-window-excuses-arrive.449391/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/ole-has-to-start-agitating-over-lack-of-signings.449270/

All of these threads started by same person that started this one. Nothing if not consistent.

 

[Reynoldo]

Scott McTominay (DM), Paul Pogba (Box to Box) & Angel Gomes (AM)

Could be great and one for the future perhaps but the problem is it wont work right now for an entire campaign.

Scott McTominay (DM): Hopefully a full proper breakout season for him and with Matic as backup they may well have it covered but its still risky to rely on these options only this term IMO
Paul Pogba (Box to Box): Based on what we have seen he just can't/won't do it for an entire season so we need a backup/alternative to share the burden
Angel Gomes (AM): The most worrying of that trio in that we can only realistically expect someone so young to give us spurts of the required performance. He should be a back up and eased into that role.

So frustrating as even with one more MF signing here we could be in a very good position.

 

[Ikon]

24 hours to go, and as far as we know, nothing happening.....Only one midfielder (Longstaff) on the list
Lukaku sold will mean our net spending on the "rebuild" will be approx £70m....

 

[vidic blood & sand]

I'd be willing to bet a week of Sanchez wages that we'll be signing Bruno tomorrow.

 

[settembrini]

1. Solskjaer has changed formation so the same number of midfielders as we had the previous season is not required.
2. The new formation adds a #10 so that player will be expected to ease the creative burden from Pogba.
3. Pogba is almost certainly staying.
4. Both Fred and McTominay played better under Solskjaer than they did under Mourinho and there is reason to believe both can step up this season. Fred will be playing in the same role he did at Shakhar. McTominay has looked very good in pre-season. Both suit the pressing system we are trying to implement more than than the passive and slow Matic.

 

[Rossa]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/investment-investment-investment.445055/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/its-pre-season-and-we-are-in-dire-straits.448766/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/has-ole-given-up-on-next-season-already.447446/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/groundhog-day-as-transfer-window-excuses-arrive.449391/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/ole-has-to-start-agitating-over-lack-of-signings.449270/

All of these threads started by same person that started this one. Nothing if not consistent.

Hehe. A fair bit of moaning in here lately. I considered starting a thread about all the moaning, but then that is also moaning, so I thought better not.

 

[devilish]

Could be great and one for the future perhaps but the problem is it wont work right now for an entire campaign.

Scott McTominay (DM): Hopefully a full proper breakout season for him and with Matic as backup they may well have it covered but its still risky to rely on these options only this term IMO
Paul Pogba (Box to Box): Based on what we have seen he just can't/won't do it for an entire season so we need a backup/alternative to share the burden
Angel Gomes (AM): The most worrying of that trio in that we can only realistically expect someone so young to give us spurts of the required performance. He should be a back up and eased into that role.

So frustrating as even with one more MF signing here we could be in a very good position.

We will probably end up with Matic & Pogba in cm and Mata/beans as no 10

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Big mistake if we dont sign a midfielder, in my opinion. An attacking midfielder who can drop into the box to box role would have been ideal. We also needed a defenisve midfielder.

 

[romufc]

Maybe we are looking into it too much.

If all goes well and Pogba and McT play 32/38 prem games, I dont see a problem there with

Fred, Matic, Perreira starting cup competitions.

Lingard, Gomes, Mata rotate in the no 10 depending on form.

James and Greenwood rotate on the right

What is the big issue, we havent got champions league.

 

[Offside]

Maybe Scott and Andreas will really step it up.

 

[Siorac]

Hehe. A fair bit of moaning in here lately. I considered starting a thread about all the moaning, but then that is also moaning, so I thought better not.

Wise choice. Moaning about the moaning is the worst.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Hehe. A fair bit of moaning in here lately. I considered starting a thread about all the moaning, but then that is also moaning, so I thought better not.

There’s plenty to moan about tbf. A half dozen threads dedicated to the exact same moan just seems a little indulgent.

 

[Grylte]

Hehe. A fair bit of moaning in here lately. I considered starting a thread about all the moaning, but then that is also moaning, so I thought better not.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/is-...-definitely-not.427898/page-154#post-24518174

Also inb4 lock

 

[Bestietom]

So we are depending on Fred and Pereira to step up this season. I'm not holding my breath. They have had their chance and are just not United material. No top 4 again this year.

 

[AUnitedOpinion]

1. Solskjaer has changed formation so the same number of midfielders as we had the previous season is not required.
2. The new formation adds a #10 so that player will be expected to ease the creative burden from Pogba.
3. Pogba is almost certainly staying.
4. Both Fred and McTominay played better under Solskjaer than they did under Mourinho and there is reason to believe both can step up this season. Fred will be playing in the same role he did at Shakhar. McTominay has looked very good in pre-season. Both suit the pressing system we are trying to implement more than than the passive and slow Matic.

I agree with what you said. My only issue is the fact that the new formation has added a #10 but we have no top quality #10.
Mata/Lingard/Sanchez can play this position but they don't have the quality of a Fernandes/Erikson/Dybala.

I do not think we will be adding any more players to the squad in this window which for me is a big concern as we need to add quality in midfield.

Think we are looking at another year outside the top 4.

 

[Ranchero]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/investment-investment-investment.445055/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/its-pre-season-and-we-are-in-dire-straits.448766/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/has-ole-given-up-on-next-season-already.447446/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/groundhog-day-as-transfer-window-excuses-arrive.449391/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/ole-has-to-start-agitating-over-lack-of-signings.449270/

All of these threads started by same person that started this one. Nothing if not consistent.

You're point being....?

 

[Ranchero]

There’s plenty to moan about tbf. A half dozen threads dedicated to the exact same moan just seems a little indulgent.

Good grief.

 

[Ranchero]

Wise choice. Moaning about the moaning is the worst.

If things were cool there would be no moaning to be moaning about.

Coming on a forum and moaning about moaning is pointless.

 

[kouroux]

You're point being....?

You need to make another thread, that's what he means.

 

[Ranchero]

You need to make another thread, that's what he means.

I think it is the opposite.

 

[The Irish Connection]

hopefully Greenwood, Gomez, Chong and Tuanzebe play to their potential and get us top 4. but looking dodgy without any more signings. some rebuild.

 

[Grylte]

You're point being....?

You are point being....?

Makes sense, just as much sense as as making new threads about the same topic over and over again.

 

[Ranchero]

hopefully Greenwood, Gomez, Chong and Tuanzebe play to their potential and get us top 4. but looking dodgy without any more signings. some rebuild.

That really is a desperate situation. Smacks of cheap option rather than going for quality.

We have been screaming out for quality in midfield season after season and it seems to me, again. Woodward is making the same old errors.

As it stands it is not even a top eight midfield and we appear happy to be over-reliant on potential with very young players.

We have had an urgent need to add quality to our midfield i can't believe we are leaving this all again to the last minute.

The fact we are sniffing around Eriksen is proof we know we lack in that department.

 

[Ranchero]

You are point being....?

Makes sense, just as much sense as as making new threads about the same topic over and over again.

Not at all the same except they all relate to our transfer activity. And Manchester United.

What do you suggest...have one thread about all transfer activity. Scrap the many threads on the Transfer forum speculating about individual players and just have one thread?

I cant believe you went to all that effort to find those links. Seems a little bit excessive to say the very least.

And based on what? Still not sure.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/investment-investment-investment.445055/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/its-pre-season-and-we-are-in-dire-straits.448766/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/has-ole-given-up-on-next-season-already.447446/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/groundhog-day-as-transfer-window-excuses-arrive.449391/

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/ole-has-to-start-agitating-over-lack-of-signings.449270/

All of these threads started by same person that started this one. Nothing if not consistent.

Clearly a Russian bot

 

[kouroux]

I think it is the opposite.

 

[Ranchero]

Clearly a Russian bot

Clearly the poster is a little obsessive.

 

[The Irish Connection]

That really is a desperate situation. Smacks of cheap option rather than going for quality.

We have been screaming out for quality in midfield season after season and it seems to me, again. Woodward is making the same old errors.

As it stands it is not even a top eight midfield and we appear happy to be over-reliant on potential with very young players.

We have had an urgent need to add quality to our midfield i can't believe we are leaving this all again to the last minute.

The fact we are sniffing around Eriksen is proof we know we lack in that department.

totally agree with you, if we don't at least sign a midfielder in the next 24 hours I think we will be lucky to get 5th. the glazers and board have run is into the ground and unless we all get together to push them out and get better owners (not Saudis ) we are going to be a long time without real success again.
it might be naive thinking of me but enough is enough.
I'm just trying to find a positive in our situation with the hope for the kids, who, in fairness, look promising.

 

[Ekeke]

Anyone else felt we're not prioritizing CM cause of our current 4-2-3-1 formation? We have 4CMs competing for the pivot(Pogba, Mctominay, Fred, Matic) and several no10s(Mata, Andreas, Gomes, Lingard)

So the Matic and Pogba duo at CM that didnt work without us adding Ander in as a 3rd CM, our failed big signing from last season and McTominay who looks a fairly good young player but its a big ask for him to be as good as Ander was last season.

Then as the number 10s we have Mata and Lingard who are well below the level of our rivals in the same position. Andreas who didnt really show his quality on the ball last season and Gomes who has barely played in the first team

We have a very clear hole

 

[Grylte]

Not at all the same except they all relate to our transfer activity. And Manchester United.

What do you suggest...have one thread about all transfer activity. Scrap the many threads on the Transfer forum speculating about individual players and just have one thread?

I cant believe you went to all that effort to find those links. Seems a little bit excessive to say the very least.

And based on what? Still not sure.

I haven't posted any links, was just poking you for using you're instead of your.

 

[Ranchero]

I haven't posted any links, was just poking you for using you're instead of your.

It was directed at crashoutcassius

 

[Ranchero]

So the Matic and Pogba duo at CM that didnt work without us adding Ander in as a 3rd CM, our failed big signing from last season and McTominay who looks a fairly good young player but its a big ask for him to be as good as Ander was last season.

Then as the number 10s we have Mata and Lingard who are well below the level of our rivals in the same position. Andreas who didnt really show his quality on the ball last season and Gomes who has barely played in the first team

We have a very clear hole

No it is all fine. Nothing to see. Stop moaning.

In all seriousness we are supposedly one of the richest clubs in the world. We know our midfield is weak and has been for six years and the rebuild was supposed to address that.

Yet we are heading for a position where more senior players are leaving the club than are joining
.
Real Madrid have spent about £280m this summer in their rebuild and they have a month to go before their transfer window shuts - rising by another £61m if clauses are met in the signing of Hazard from Chelsea.

That £61m is almost identical to our net spend if Lukaku goes for cash and nobody else comes in or goes in the next 23 hours.