The scary thing is we wouldn't have even signed Donny if Edwin hadn't done all the legwork for that deal
How far off is this squad from a title challenge?
- Thread starter jamesjimmybyrondean
- Start date
Interesting - Martial out wide instead of Greenwood? I think you're a good poster and I respect your opinion so I'm genuinely curious - from what I've seen I'd have Rashford from the left and Greenwood in place of Martial. Personally I've never been convinced by Martial from wider positions.
A star right winger and a compatible center defence partnership away.
There is definitely evidence of far too much sentimentality and Woody knew that was going to happen when we appointed Ole
Donny could be the CM and willing to give Amad chance to prove himself on RW (well if given opportunity). Would agree with all of the other positions though
Agree on Donny, but I think throwing Amad in to the deep end at 18 could be a bit too much of a pressurising situation for him. I mean, although this is obviously because of Gasperini’s tactics rather than his own shortcomings, he hardly features for Atalanta! We’ll see though. He could easily become a Sancho.
At least:
CB
CDM
CM
ST
RW
CB
CDM
CM
ST
RW
It was a great move, have to give it to him.
Funnily enough I really can’t understand how United fans are diminishing the figure of the manager when it comes to success on the pitch and looking for excuses and problems elsewhere considering all the contribution Fergie made to the club.
Getting a manager with a ability to organise his players and work out a system, a CDM, Winger and CB.
This. A bit of competition for Aaron wouldn't hurt too
Could maybe argue Cavani is doing a decent job at ST but will need replacing in the next year or so
A long way off.
Yeah CDM & CB is absolutely paramount in the next two windows,need to see what Diallo can do first before putting RW on the list
3-4 players awayYou're right but what I meant specifically was how many players away are we from having a title challenging team
Forward
All action DM
CB
Fourth player could be any position, whether its' another forward, midfielder, or center back.
Indeed
RW, LW, CB, RB + decent manager
In reality, about 3 to 4 years with the proper setup.
In reality, about 3 to 4 years with the proper setup.
Totally agree with those three and would throw in another creative player as the fourth option whether that be CM or RW
Martial is a vastly better dribbler than both & his bottom level isn’t as low when playing poorly. When Rash & Greenwood are bad they contribute next to nothing, Martial still has some good touches & can create even when in poor form. He’s also far less selfish than both. Greenwood is only 18, he’s not ready to be a starter at the moment, he has a lot to work on in terms of his overall play. Great option on the bench & to start some games though.
Fair enough! I'd also worry you'd detract from Rashford because he's always seemed more comfortable on the left, but perhaps that tradeoff makes sense.
I keep forgetting about Diallo. Yeah, need to see what he has. Probably a proper Striker then, if they don't believe Greenwood is the guy for that role. Martial and Rashford aren't.
5 points with a game in hand 
This.
Get a top manager and a top dm and this team can compete with the best.
I'd say we have the team to challenge for the title but it's riding on some ifs. If our defense can sort their shit out because they went from being one of the best in the league to absolute shit. If Matic can regain some form because he is our only DM. If Martial and/or Cavani can start firing.
Could be remedied by appointing a coach who understands defending and also be looking to sign a more mobile CDM when we sell Pogba.
and a starting specialist right winger and a left footed attacker (although if diallo hits the ground running we may kill 2 birds with one stone there) let’s hope he’s got a Bruno mentality and not Depay Shaw Di Maria Pogba Martial etc etc
Never
Because, Glazers
Because, Glazers
Can also throw a mobile CDM good on the ball and CB leader into it as well because Maguire isn't that
i think we are missing a DM even more than a RW this season.
Diallo might turn out to be a find on the RW but like you say we are sorely missing a DM
I get that the way the Glazers run things riles everyone but we’ve won 11 major items of silverware plus some side show silver since they took the club over.
I think the problem is on this side of the Atlantic, mostly found at Ed’s door but increasingly at Ole’s too.
About as close as there is to a Brexit deal 
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Doesn't matter how good the squad is. As long as ole and his dull as dishwater backroom staff remain we won't be challenging unfortunately, and why people can't see this worries me.
im thinking it’s the other way. Ed is around the club and he’s visible. He gets abuse. He knows what the fans want and I’m sure he wants to be liked by our fans at least...not going too well! Anyway I think it’s mainly the glazers. They hired all these idiots in the first place and at the end of the day they have had final say on absolutely everything. Just a theory but it wouldn’t surprise me if Joel has to run major decisions by his siblings who may understand money more than football (whichever of them are still on the board) and that’s why we either dither and look like we are penny pinching on mega deals or else we massively overpay and reward mediocrity? Anyone who watches and understands football can see what we needed over the last few years but if one or two glazers dig their heels in I’d say its tough to make fast decisions. Fair play to them for putting some of our own money back into the youth academy, it’s looking tip top again but I still feel like we are massively underprepared and take way too long to make positive decisions.I think whatever a manager does here he’s doing knowing these guys are a hinderance as much as a lifeline to improving the team. They are a disaster in the transfer market. For me That makes it a harder job than at any of the other top clubs. when your bosses fail you what can you do? Quit or keep going....
The squad should be able to challenge now.
There's no powerhouse team in the Premier League at the moment.
City's squad isn't as good as it used to be. Liverpool will be without Van Dijk for the season.
There's no powerhouse team in the Premier League at the moment.
City's squad isn't as good as it used to be. Liverpool will be without Van Dijk for the season.
To be honest, I don't a manager who changed as much its first 11 as SAF in his latest years.
But I am not comparing at all. Ole changes probably because he is looking for his best 11 and because nothing has make him happy this year. He started with Matic, Pogba, Bruno like last year but that was catastophic...and so on.
SAF was changing to keep eveeyone focused in the squad and everyone knew which game he will start weeks or months in advance. Everything was planned. That is why he always had big squads without much fuss (as well as having squad players and not 26 starters of course !), He found a place and role to everyone. The man was a genius.
New manager, Sancho and a Neves or a Rice.
I think we have a decent squad overall. 2 more players a proper DM and a quick CB will make it work a lot better though. RW may be ok now once Diallo comes in and we have Pellestri as well.
We do need a manager and coaches who can implement a style of play and tactics, as well as being able to coach and improve if not all, then most of the players.
As it stands then I think top 4 might be the highest we reach. We are way too inconsistant and if Bruno gets injured top 4 would be beyond this team at the moment.
We do need a manager and coaches who can implement a style of play and tactics, as well as being able to coach and improve if not all, then most of the players.
As it stands then I think top 4 might be the highest we reach. We are way too inconsistant and if Bruno gets injured top 4 would be beyond this team at the moment.
You get the impression we still won't sign a quick CB while we still have Jones & Rojo cluttering up the squad
Dm
1 cb
But both need to be top players.
I think we challenge with that. We can score goals on anyone, we just can't keep them out.
1 cb
But both need to be top players.
I think we challenge with that. We can score goals on anyone, we just can't keep them out.