If the choices are signing one superstar/strengthening the squad - what do you do?

[edcunited1878]

I'd take strength in numbers now because if Sancho doesn't go to United now, he can still end up with them next summer.

If you don't have another superstar in Sancho now, then you'll have to work more with your squad and improve the current players which has to happen regardless the arrival of Sancho or not.

And if you sign Sancho, then you'll probably want to keep Smalling as CB depth, and hope that McTominay can improve a lot. Same with Dan James and what are you going to do with Periera, Lingard, and Mata?

 

[ReallyUSA]

Strengthen. We have enough stars

 

[Offside]

I’d rather sign Brooks, Rice and Gabriel (just examples of cheaper squad players maybe Ride isn’t the best example but you get it) than Sancho. We need squad depth. Our first XI is not a problem as much.

 

[croadyman]

This first XI is not far off City / Liverpool.

DDG / Henderson
AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw
Matic - Pogba
Sancho - Bruno - Rashford
Martial

Just by adding one superstar (Sancho) it makes the back up much better. At the moment, it would be Greenwood dropping out, but it could be any of them. But, by having someone like Greenwood coming on, it’s not as catastrophic if one of the front 3 is having an off day as there is genuine quality to bring on.

Reserve:
The other ‘keeper, Bailly, Williams, Fred, McTominay, Lingard, Greenwood, Oghalo.

Yeah, there’s still room for improvement. I’m also a bit concerned that there’s only room for one of Bruno or Pogba, which is a shame as they are probably our 2 most talented players.

Aside from Sancho (although not convinced we will get him) I’d like to see some defensive upgrade (centre back to replace Lindelof) and probably another attacker who can play in at least 2 of the forward positions.

Well Grealish could play in both of the CAM/LW roles, yes admittedly he hasn't played on the RW since his days at Notts County about six years ago but could probably still do a job there if we want to give Sancho a rest. I will admit it's highly unlikely we get both but nothing wrong in having a pipe dream is there.

 

[hungrywing]

Agree with the 'strengthen the squad' posts.

Star.

We haven't had a functioning one for a long, long time so the perspective toward what a star is and does for a team might well be blurred for us as a fanbase at the moment, but a player coming in and performing like a star would not only elevate the 1st xi, but also the substitutes as well. A dependable star has a load that can be put upon him that affords others more chance for rest and enables you to sneak a lesser player or two into a side enough times to give the starters the rest they need.

Some of our squad members simply cannot play top level football within tight constraints where they have to pull their weight 1:1, but tilt that and have the opposition completely preoccupied by a star, and the space these lesser players get to play in widens by quite a bit. Fergie blagged a number of players who weren't of a standard where they'd start for other teams of our then calibre by supplementing them with stars who opposing teams couldn't take their eyes off of.

There's no point bringing a bar up from average to a bit more than average with squaddies that don't back stars - the net result there is the bar/top level being brought down not elevated. Your best performing players are your bar and you get functional, serviceable sorts in (or make what you have in your squad fit this billing) and around them. Liverpool have done this perfectly with their midfield and Firminho being there to get the best out of Mane, Salah and the full-backs.

Imagine Bruno's MotM games for us on a game-by-game basis, or a Pogba during his superb run of games for Mourinho performing and delivering 8/10 and upward performances. That kind of player makes other 1st team players better and raises the bar for not just those 10 players, but the squad, the support and gives the opposition something to fear before a game has even kicked off.

A proper performing star is a no-brainer as the answer to the question.

What if you were guaranteed Sancho twelve months later for less? Would you wait?

 

[croadyman]

Agree with the 'strengthen the squad' posts.



What if you were guaranteed Sancho twelve months later for less? Would you wait?

I would but personally I just don't think it is worth taking that risk

 

[DJ_21]

Much rather Sancho has we need quality in the team and his goals and assists would help take us to another level. We also have players that need selling so that would help us sign another player maybe.

 

[jem]

Sensible approach, do you think Smalling has the recovery pace to bail out Maguire when required, so who would you go as an additional option in the midfield then just out of interest?

I've always thought the defensive side of Smalling's game was solid, including his speed. His ability with the ball leaves something to be desired, but I still get anxious watching this current lot play out from the back! Not sure who would be a good buy for the midfield. I mean it's incredible that Thiago is available for 30 million. I know he seems set on LFC but I wonder if it wouldn't be worth trying to get him, both by readily paying the 30 million (something LFC is apparently hesitant to do,) and then by offering him a very generous contract (I know that approach has bitten us in the arse with the likes of Alexis, but Thiago is quality.)

 

[croadyman]

I've always thought the defensive side of Smalling's game was solid, including his speed. His ability with the ball leaves something to be desired, but I still get anxious watching this current lot play out from the back! Not sure who would be a good buy for the midfield. I mean it's incredible that Thiago is available for 30 million. I know he seems set on LFC but I wonder if it wouldn't be worth trying to get him, both by readily paying the 30 million (something LFC is apparently hesitant to do,) and then by offering him a very generous contract (I know that approach has bitten us in the arse with the likes of Alexis, but Thiago is quality.)

I can honestly say he would be the only player this summer that I would be happy to pass on Grealish for, however like you say I fully expect him to join the scousers after the Champions League final which is gutting to say the least

 

[Class of 63]

I'd take a punt on Ousmane Dembele(£50/60m should do the job) as there's still a potential superstar in there somewhere, offer West Ham what they want for Declan Rice, and go get Benoît Badiashile from AS Monaco. Squad sorted.

 

[croadyman]

I'd take a punt on Ousmane Dembele(£50/60m should do the job) as there's still a potential superstar in there somewhere, offer West Ham what they want for Declan Rice, and go get Benoît Badiashile from AS Monaco. Squad sorted.

Think they want about £80m for him

 

[In Rainbows]

Agree with the 'strengthen the squad' posts.



What if you were guaranteed Sancho twelve months later for less? Would you wait?

You can't guarantee that because for all we know Sancho improves even more as he only just turned 20 years old. And if we can't get him now for monetary reasons, another year won't change after spending a lot on depth.

 

[Class of 63]

Think they want about £80m for him

Don't think they'd get anybody to pay that, or even close to it.

 

[In Rainbows]

Another reason why I prefer Sancho is due to Kovar, Levitt, Garner, and Laird getting loaned out while Mejbri gets another year in reserves.

For all we know, 1 or 2 of our kids have great loans similar to James Reece of Chelsea. In which case, they could have saved us money just by simply waiting 1 more season to assess our own talents.

 

[Fortitude]

Agree with the 'strengthen the squad' posts.



What if you were guaranteed Sancho twelve months later for less? Would you wait?

I wouldn't no, there's no net reward for strengthening the squad with players who are clear second fiddlers compared to an actual superstar.

In this hypothetical, I wasn't thinking Sancho, btw; I'm thinking full-blown superstar who comes in and is the boss of this team outright - as I said in my previous post, we've not had one of those since Van Persie, and I think it's diluted thoughts of what a superstar does and how much they elevate a team and make lesser players look better than they are in a plethora of ways. If we've got a player out there who demands a double or triple team every game, the amount of time and space others get to play in would be other worldly compared to what it is now.

Some of our squaddies would suddenly become functional with the attention and pressure off them. Besides that, supplemental players can be picked up easily, whilst a true star is a rarity.

My answer wouldn't change if switched to Sancho as the star, although that's for a few different reasons than him being some bona fide Cantona-esque figure.

 

[croadyman]

Don't think they'd get anybody to pay that, or even close to it.

Not even moneybags Chelsea then

 

[SAFMUTD]

Its not always black or white, we have to value each individual situation. In the particular case of Sancho vs Grealish, Brooks and a 30M CB I would take Sancho without a doubt.

Sancho is 20 and is putting top player numbers, nothing is warranted in life but everything indicates he will be worldclass in the next years to come. While Grealish would be a squad player, Brooks comes from having a bad year with serious injuries and we dont know if he'll recover his form and today 30M doesnt get you any top CB. We would have to take a gamble on one.

So best scenario we wouldnt end up with 3 good squad players that may ultimately become starters, worst scenario we end up with 1 squad player in Grealish and two bumps.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

One superstar. I look at Liverpool, and although I don't think Sancho will automatically take us to a title-challenging team, the 'superstars' they bought in over the years have seen them become one of the mighty forces in Europe again.

Of course it'd be great if we could find some gems on the way, too, but big players win you titles.

 

[croadyman]

One superstar. I look at Liverpool, and although I don't think Sancho will automatically take us to a title-challenging team, the 'superstars' they bought in over the years have seen them become one of the mighty forces in Europe again.

Of course it'd be great if we could find some gems on the way, too, but big players win you titles.

Absolutely bang on the money because Jadon is a generational talent who in my opinion is in that level just below Mbappe at the moment but could get up there in the next few years there is no doubt about that

 

[shahzy]

A squad helps you get far in the League/FA Cup. A star gives you a chance at winning the League/Champions League.

a star without the base gets you nowhere near both either unless that star is named Messi or Ronaldo though. Theres too much expectation that if Sancho comes in he'll get the 20 goals 20 assists mark

 

[croadyman]

a star without the base gets you nowhere near both either unless that star is named Messi or Ronaldo though. Theres too much expectation that if Sancho comes in he'll get the 20 goals 20 assists mark

Still think we can get a bit of both if we are able to sell some players as well

 

[100]

Sancho and loans. Without spending about 200m, its a year too early for us to make a real challenge. Squad players will always be available.

 

[croadyman]

Sancho and loans. Without spending about 200m, its a year too early for us to make a real challenge. Squad players will always be available.

What loans do you think we can realistically do in this window just out of interest?

 

[Class of 63]

Not even moneybags Chelsea then

Not sure they'd want him after signing Ziyech and Pulisic recently, and also having Hudson-Odoi.

 

[100]

What loans do you think we can realistically do in this window just out of interest?

None in particular but im confident there'll be more than usual with teams worried about the financial year ahead and usual buyers not wanting to take a risk. Dont need to be superstars and it cant be difficult to get better depth than the current group.

 

[croadyman]

None in particular but im confident there'll be more than usual with teams worried about the financial year ahead and usual buyers not wanting to take a risk. Dont need to be superstars and it cant be difficult to get better depth than the current group.

What positions do you have in mind

 

[100]

What positions do you have in mind

Basically everywhere. Small risk if they're shit. Lingard/pereira replacement. Midfield depth, a fullback, a cb.

Purely based on OPs scenario btw. Im sure we could get 1 signing minimum in addition to Sancho.

 

[Handré1990]

Sancho, of course, if at all possible.

 

[manutddjw]

As others have said, it's not black and white and you have to look at the circumstance. In this case and what I'm sure inspired this thread is the Sancho situation. In this case you go with Sancho.

What people haven't mentioned is Sancho is also giving us depth. Martial, Rashford and Greenwood are certainly good enough, but they can't play 60+ games a season. Sancho helps with that. Without him, we're back to Lingard, Pereira and James again which has failed spectacularly. We can get away with midfield for another season. McTominay and Fred have both had a good season. We have depth in midfield.

 

[Okey]

I know it's a hypothetical OP question but the reality is a club aiming for the top can't have that as their mutually exclusive options. You have to have superstar quality. Either on the pitch or in your manager (and even he must have quality, if not 'super star' players). United need to define their aim. If it's to become a perennial top 4 aiming team, then you can do just one or the other (strengthening the squad would edge it). If we ever want to get back to the top, you have no choice but to do both, in our position...

 

[hungrywing]

I wouldn't no, there's no net reward for strengthening the squad with players who are clear second fiddlers compared to an actual superstar.

In this hypothetical, I wasn't thinking Sancho, btw; I'm thinking full-blown superstar who comes in and is the boss of this team outright - as I said in my previous post, we've not had one of those since Van Persie, and I think it's diluted thoughts of what a superstar does and how much they elevate a team and make lesser players look better than they are in a plethora of ways. If we've got a player out there who demands a double or triple team every game, the amount of time and space others get to play in would be other worldly compared to what it is now.

Some of our squaddies would suddenly become functional with the attention and pressure off them. Besides that, supplemental players can be picked up easily, whilst a true star is a rarity.

My answer wouldn't change if switched to Sancho as the star, although that's for a few different reasons than him being some bona fide Cantona-esque figure.

I don't disagree with any of that.

Just wondering what I would do if I had an ironclad guarantee that Sancho would turn down anyone else but us next summer.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Absolutely bang on the money because Jadon is a generational talent who in my opinion is in that level just below Mbappe at the moment but could get up there in the next few years there is no doubt about that

Agreed, and if someone like Jadon comes in, then Greenwood becomes a squad player, which is a much better option coming from the bench then the likes of Lingard, Mata, James, etc.

Ole has been banging on about quality. "It is definitely about quality – and it is going to cost money to get in players who are better than the ones we already have". Think this quote is more to do with our first XI than the squad. If you look at the team Ole was involved in under Sir Alex, he constantly goes on about how Sir Alex kept improving the squad by bringing in 'better' players, regardless of success.

Ole will obviously take a look at our first XI as it is now, and see where we can vastly improve.

 

[GodlovesUnited]

Assuming Sancho performs at around the same level at United, you have to buy the star.

You can always find decent squad players, and building depth always takes longer than one window. How many opportunities do you get to buy a world class player?

 

[Statue of Limitations]

For me it is more crucial to have more competition in several places to guard against complacency and help us as we go deeper into competitions.
There is to be no winter break due so the more capable rotation options we have the better.

We don't have to spend £100m on a RW, just a solid 25-30m option would do.
I would like to see another top class defender, I know we were over a barrel a bit to spend so much on Maguire but White would be less than half that and a good option/starter.

If we were to forgo the Galactico type signing (Sancho) then the above would leave me confident for next season too.

It is worth remembering that we finished the season top of the form table, Bruno hit the ground running and will be even better next year.

 

[Redplane]

Rather than spending money on players first, how about we throw a shit load of money at the Bayern scouting and recruiting team instead?

I mean, is there any club that has done better in getting both great youth and great value players in over the last 10 years or so - especially the latter? Makes us look like proper mugs.

 

[kiristao]

Our starting 11 is good enough to take on anyone right now. It's the bench that's the problem.
If the choice is a 120million Sancho against signing a good CB, CM and CF for a total of 120, I'll go with the second option.
It's going to be a long season this year with players barely getting any rest and squad depth is what will finally make the difference.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

Personally, I'd be more than happy if the board said they would fund the Sancho deal, but any other deal would have to be funded by player sales...

 

[Hawks2008]

Filling out the squad with middle of the road players doesn't close the gap on City and Liverpool, signing a top player will. We need more Bruno type signings and less James type signings.

Furthermore I dont think signing average players is the right way to build depth. If you sign players that push your current players out the starting 11 your bench and squad get stronger as a result. Lindelof, Matic, Greenwood, Shaw etc. are stronger backups for a potential new starter than any £20m player would be for them.

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

The superstar no question. Especially a young one. Generational talents are one in a million.

 

[lysglimt]

In our current posititon - we need Sancho more than a stronger squad. We can Always get a stronger squad later - but there might not be a Sancho next year