Priority Signing: CB vs DM vs RW vs Striker

What position do we need to fill the most? (If you could only fill one)


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croadyman

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DM and striker
Think after Cooper's interview today we may as well remove RW & CDM off the list, he seems convinced that our top priorities in the summer is going to be CB & ST, yeah cracking idea Utd so who is going to supply this ST then if we aren't signing either of the the first two please enlighten me on this one.
 
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Chesterlestreet

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I'd try to get Haaland first and foremost. If there's actually a chance in hell of getting him, that's where my focus would be.
 

croadyman

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I'd try to get Haaland first and foremost. If there's actually a chance in hell of getting him, that's where my focus would be.
Think after tonight we should try and get Kane because City will go all in for Erling now I am certain
 

BrumTown87

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I agree we would get more but we won't sell all of those players anyway
You’ll more than likely be right. Still, a club like United should be able to free up space, and get the job done. I exclude Phil Jones though because let’s be honest, who will buy him? Maybe Matic might be a tough one due to the wages etc.

Mata
Lingard
Pereira
Dalot
Chong
James

Even with reduced fees surely 65/70 million could be generated from those players
 

croadyman

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You’ll more than likely be right. Still, a club like United should be able to free up space, and get the job done. I exclude Phil Jones though because let’s be honest, who will buy him? Maybe Matic might be a tough one due to the wages etc.

Mata
Lingard
Pereira
Dalot
Chong
James

Even with reduced fees surely 65/70 million could be generated from those players
Yeah maybe a little bit less but around that sort of figure, so lets say

Mata - free
Lingard - £15-£20m
Pereira - £10m
Dalot - £10m
Chong - £5m
James - £10m
 

BrumTown87

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Yeah maybe a little bit less but around that sort of figure, so lets say

Mata - free
Lingard - £15-£20m
Pereira - £10m
Dalot - £10m
Chong - £5m
James - £10m
Maybe a little more for Lingard if his fine form continues.
 

bucky

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The problem's that we haven't exercised Cavani's option yet, so as of now, we're heading into next season with Martial, Rashford, and Greenwood as our strikers. Given Martial's form this season, I'm not surprised that we're looking at a new striker to not only add depth but some consistency. We have a similar situation with our CBs; Bailly might not want to continue on with us, so him leaving would leave us light at the back.

If we choose to miss out on one of the two key areas of improvement to bring in Sancho instead, then we might get away with it if our existing players remain fit enough or suddenly improve.
Don't want to derail the twitter thread further. I think those positions are clear issues, I am just not sure, who would be a good signing to give us more consistency upfront. Kane, Haaland and Mbappe won't happen. Andre Silva could be a good option, but if it's between him and Sancho, then I'd rather have the latter. Calvert-Lewin would cost too much just like Maguire. Ideal scenario is obviously having Cavani for one more year.

Signing Sancho should also mean that Greenwood would play more as a striker, which is what we should do with him IMO. On top of that Sancho should help Bruno, so that we wouldn't be quite as dependent in terms of chance creation on the Portuguese.

I agree that we need a CB, whether Bailly stays or not.
 

croadyman

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Don't want to derail the twitter thread further. I think those positions are clear issues, I am just not sure, who would be a good signing to give us more consistency upfront. Kane, Haaland and Mbappe won't happen. Andre Silva could be a good option, but if it's between him and Sancho, then I'd rather have the latter. Calvert-Lewin would cost too much just like Maguire. Ideal scenario is obviously having Cavani for one more year.

Signing Sancho should also mean that Greenwood would play more as a striker, which is what we should do with him IMO. On top of that Sancho should help Bruno, so that we wouldn't be quite as dependent in terms of chance creation on the Portuguese.

I agree that we need a CB, whether Bailly stays or not.
Maybe Zlatan's strike partner Isak could be an option too, time to start thinking like the club so priorities this summer are clearly CB & ST but looks like the other two key positions are going to be the next summer window at least
 

jderbyshire

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What's gutting (but also kinda hilarious) is that

a) We will probably spend the lowest amount of money since the Fellaini summer

and

b) The lowest voted position (CB) has been mentioned as being the number one priority by some journalists.
 

laughtersassassin

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Maybe Zlatan's strike partner Isak could be an option too, time to start thinking like the club so priorities this summer are clearly CB & ST but looks like the other two key positions are going to be the next summer window at least
I know your right but CB over CDM will be a massive mistake imo.
 

croadyman

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What's gutting (but also kinda hilarious) is that

a) We will probably spend the lowest amount of money since the Fellaini summer

and

b) The lowest voted position (CB) has been mentioned as being the number one priority by some journalists.
Yeah sadly both look to be true but hard to laugh when you feel so passionately about such incompetence
 

mazhar13

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Don't want to derail the twitter thread further. I think those positions are clear issues, I am just not sure, who would be a good signing to give us more consistency upfront. Kane, Haaland and Mbappe won't happen. Andre Silva could be a good option, but if it's between him and Sancho, then I'd rather have the latter. Calvert-Lewin would cost too much just like Maguire. Ideal scenario is obviously having Cavani for one more year.

Signing Sancho should also mean that Greenwood would play more as a striker, which is what we should do with him IMO. On top of that Sancho should help Bruno, so that we wouldn't be quite as dependent in terms of chance creation on the Portuguese.

I agree that we need a CB, whether Bailly stays or not.
I wouldn't mind us getting Sancho and a CB, honestly. Greenwood's link-up play means that Sancho will get into goalscoring positions, and Sancho himself can reduce the creative burden on Bruno if Pogba isn't playing. With that said, we'll still have to get used to Greenwood's growing pains as there's no guarantee of him being a consistent goalscorer next season, but I'd be okay with that, personally. We'd still have a problem with a lack of overall depth, so another short-term, cheaper option wouldn't be too bad. I'm thinking of someone like Alassane Pléa or Gerard Moreno (off the top of my head).

Maybe Zlatan's strike partner Isak could be an option too, time to start thinking like the club so priorities this summer are clearly CB & ST but looks like the other two key positions are going to be the next summer window at least
Isak's really good when he has space to exploit. When you cut off that space or the supply to him, he isn't as useful. His movement isn't good enough to beat deeper back lines, and his finishing isn't consistent enough to make the most of relatively few chances.
 

croadyman

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I wouldn't mind us getting Sancho and a CB, honestly. Greenwood's link-up play means that Sancho will get into goalscoring positions, and Sancho himself can reduce the creative burden on Bruno if Pogba isn't playing. With that said, we'll still have to get used to Greenwood's growing pains as there's no guarantee of him being a consistent goalscorer next season, but I'd be okay with that, personally. We'd still have a problem with a lack of overall depth, so another short-term, cheaper option wouldn't be too bad. I'm thinking of someone like Alassane Pléa or Gerard Moreno (off the top of my head).


Isak's really good when he has space to exploit. When you cut off that space or the supply to him, he isn't as useful. His movement isn't good enough to beat deeper back lines, and his finishing isn't consistent enough to make the most of relatively few chances.
Yeah I would rather someone like Kane/Haaland too but time to start being realistic about our targets, would be something if we could at least get Varane in the summer but it's nowhere near enough that's for sure
 

mazhar13

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Yeah I would rather someone like Kane/Haaland too but time to start being realistic about our targets, would be something if we could at least get Varane in the summer but it's nowhere near enough that's for sure
My point is that, even outside of the top targets, there are better options than players like Isak and André Silva, players who are still effective even when facing deeper defensive lines. I've suggested a couple in my earlier post off the top of my head, but I'm sure that I can find more if I refresh my memory.
 

bucky

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Maybe Zlatan's strike partner Isak could be an option too, time to start thinking like the club so priorities this summer are clearly CB & ST but looks like the other two key positions are going to be the next summer window at least
I doubt the club would openly communicate what their priorities are. I would make the same argument for Isak as I've made for Andre Silva.

I wouldn't mind us getting Sancho and a CB, honestly. Greenwood's link-up play means that Sancho will get into goalscoring positions, and Sancho himself can reduce the creative burden on Bruno if Pogba isn't playing. With that said, we'll still have to get used to Greenwood's growing pains as there's no guarantee of him being a consistent goalscorer next season, but I'd be okay with that, personally. We'd still have a problem with a lack of overall depth, so another short-term, cheaper option wouldn't be too bad. I'm thinking of someone like Alassane Pléa or Gerard Moreno (off the top of my head).
Pretty much sums up my line of thinking, I'd be okay with Rashford and Greenwood frustrating up front, if it means we finally fill that void on the right that's been there since Nani and Valencia declined.
 

croadyman

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I doubt the club would openly communicate what their priorities are. I would make the same argument for Isak as I've made for Andre Silva.



Pretty much sums up my line of thinking, I'd be okay with Rashford and Greenwood frustrating up front, if it means we finally fill that void on the right that's been there since Nani and Valencia declined.
Just listening to what Cooper said seems to suggest that RW is behind CB & ST this summer, unbelievably it might even be behind a backup RB but he talked about Dalot maybe coming back and taking that on
 

bucky

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Just listening to what Cooper said seems to suggest that RW is behind CB & ST this summer, unbelievably it might even be behind a backup RB but he talked about Dalot maybe coming back and taking that on
Could be, considering we signed two RWs last summer, just think it would be a mistake.
 

Amadaeus

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Lukaku :lol:. Just like a lot of players at United, they get unfairly criticized here. I bet whoever, we replace, they will do well at their respective new club.


We have the most valuable attacker in football in Rashford, the best no.10 in Bruno, and the best fullback in shaw and most expensive defender in maguire. It would embarrassing if we are don't put up a good challenge for the league next season and win a significant trophy.

What we need for that is:

manager: Nagelsman(until Pochettino becomes available again)

Henderson/De Gea
Attal or Hakimi/AWB - linderlof/Tuanzebe - Maguire/Bailey - Shaw/Telles
-----------------Rice or Kelvin Phillips/Matic------------
Mctominay/Fred - Pogba/DVDB
-----‐--------------- -------- Bruno/Martial ----------
Diallo/Greenwood ------ Rashford/Florian Writz

Or an attack of
----‐------------------------------Bruno/Martial
Sancho/Greenwood ------------------------------Rashford/ Diallo

If there is no faith in Greenwood and diallo.
 

BoltonWanderer

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I'm not even sure right wing is a need for United at all. Greenwood has been playing better recently and he needs time, so whilst that position was a definite issue a few months ago, I'm not sure it needs addressing now. You've got a young, English, home grown potentially world class player with a higher ceiling than Rashford...the last thing Greenwood needs is to be sat om the bench in all the big games behind some new signing. Greenwood and Diallo is an inexperienced RW pairing but they both need to be backed, especially Greenwood.

Having a world class striker is going to have a big impact on United though. Cavani is probably the best option currently as none of the others can lead the line, and he's likely going, so United need to bring in a genuinely world class striker, someone who can create his own chances and make it easier for the wingers. I think Haaland is the obvious option but if not, Martinez from Inter is a shout.

If United can head into next season with the following as the front three options, they have a chance of winning the league:

LW: Rashford, Martial, James
CF: Haaland, Ings/Wilson/Watkins
RW: Greenwood, Diallo, James
 
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KD6-3.7

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This club is an absolute joke if we don’t attempt to sign a RW or CDM.

I can already tell we’re gonna waste all our time trying to get Haaland who we inevitably won’t get and we’ll panic buy like usual.
 

sdb4884

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CD, another season of Maguire and Lindelof? I see Liverpool have already made moves in that area already.

We still in addition need all of the above to contend next season.
 

croadyman

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This club is an absolute joke if we don’t attempt to sign a RW or CDM.

I can already tell we’re gonna waste all our time trying to get Haaland who we inevitably won’t get and we’ll panic buy like usual.
Totally agree but the club don't care about either of those priorities this window which is a complete joke
 

DanNistelrooy

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Whilst I agree that CDM is a key area for us to improve I honestly think given we have options there (albeit not great ones), the priority has to be RW or ST. We still don't have a genuine RW and it shows - our right hand side has been shocking all season offensively. If Cavani stays then I'd say squeeze one more season out of him / Greenwood / Martial as striking options

Those saying Haaland - agreed, if he is available then we should be all in for him. But am I right in thinking his release clause doesn't kick in until 2022? In that case then it's going to take north £100m and I just can't see us having that cash this summer.
 

Giggsy13

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The great thing about this thread is that nobody is wrong. Each argument pushing the need for a CB, CDM, RW or ST has merit and is easily justified, which only leads to one logical conclusion: we need to address all 4.

The problem with our owners is that these positions won’t be sorted in 1, 2 or possibly 3 summer windows. So in that time, we might have another need or hole in the squad that needs addressing. In 2 to 3 years we might have a disgruntled Bruno who’s tired of carrying the team and not winning anything so he’ll need replacing. Or suddenly Maguire becomes injury prone due to all the heavy minutes he’s played the last 5 years. The frustrating thing is that you can make the case that we’re 2 or 3 genuinely world class players from being a contender. Sounds easy enough but our owners will always be a barrier.

The smart thing to do would be to address 2 of 4 positions each of the next 2 summer windows. Get CB and RW sorted this summer. It doesn’t have to be Sancho, it won’t be anyways, but plenty of other decent more affordable options. Neto or Raphinha with a CB this summer would be good business. Then next summer go all out for a striker and CDM. That should conceivably make us title contenders in 2 years, if we nail these signings. This to me seems to be a pretty practical strategy yet our owners will probably fluff it and shit the bed.
 

JJ12

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I think we’ll chase Haaland all summer until Madrid or City stop playing games and pay up.

Will end up with Bamford or someone like that.
 

RedDevilCanuck

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All the same big names keep being mentioned.

Don't we have top quality scouts?
 

croadyman

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The great thing about this thread is that nobody is wrong. Each argument pushing the need for a CB, CDM, RW or ST has merit and is easily justified, which only leads to one logical conclusion: we need to address all 4.

The problem with our owners is that these positions won’t be sorted in 1, 2 or possibly 3 summer windows. So in that time, we might have another need or hole in the squad that needs addressing. In 2 to 3 years we might have a disgruntled Bruno who’s tired of carrying the team and not winning anything so he’ll need replacing. Or suddenly Maguire becomes injury prone due to all the heavy minutes he’s played the last 5 years. The frustrating thing is that you can make the case that we’re 2 or 3 genuinely world class players from being a contender. Sounds easy enough but our owners will always be a barrier.

The smart thing to do would be to address 2 of 4 positions each of the next 2 summer windows. Get CB and RW sorted this summer. It doesn’t have to be Sancho, it won’t be anyways, but plenty of other decent more affordable options. Neto or Raphinha with a CB this summer would be good business. Then next summer go all out for a striker and CDM. That should conceivably make us title contenders in 2 years, if we nail these signings. This to me seems to be a pretty practical strategy yet our owners will probably fluff it and shit the bed.
You have totally nailed our transfer issues with this post but especially the first two paragraphs
 

anant

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There is no CB available in the market right now that will be a massive success unless we buy a CDM.

Unless Haaland is available, the priority has to be on CDM. It's amazing how people don't realize that. The only reason why we struggle to score against minnows is because we play both McT and Fred. Free one of those slots up by getting in a competent DM, you can play Pogba alongside this DM and you'd notice the difference this would make.

Add to that, this player would be able to sniff out dangers earlier and the defence wouldnt go into 3 v 3 situations that often
 

croadyman

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There is no CB available in the market right now that will be a massive success unless we buy a CDM.

Unless Haaland is available, the priority has to be on CDM. It's amazing how people don't realize that. The only reason why we struggle to score against minnows is because we play both McT and Fred. Free one of those slots up by getting in a competent DM, you can play Pogba alongside this DM and you'd notice the difference this would make.

Add to that, this player would be able to sniff out dangers earlier and the defence wouldnt go into 3 v 3 situations that often
The majority of the fanbase do realise that CDM is the biggest priority it's the clowns running the club that don't
 
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There is no CB available in the market right now that will be a massive success unless we buy a CDM.


....
I'm sorry to say but this is just wrong.


We are in the exact same situation as City were last season when they lost Laporte to a cruciate and we're forced to pair the incompatible Otamendi and Stones.

This summer City did not solve that issue by upgrading their DMs. They simply sorted out the center defence by buying a center half compatible with everyone in Laporte's absence. Yet now with the self same DMs they are by far the best defensive unit in the league. Yet they leaked goals like a broken dam last term.
 

anant

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I'm sorry to say but this is just wrong.


We are in the exact same situation as City were last season when they lost Laporte to a cruciate and we're forced to pair the incompatible Otamendi and Stones.

This summer City did not solve that issue by upgrading their DMs. They simply sorted out the center defence by buying a center half compatible with everyone in Laporte's absence. Yet now with the self same DMs they are by far the best defensive unit in the league. Yet they leaked goals like a broken dam last term.
The situation is quite different. Rodri, for all his flaws last season, is a good defensive midfielder who does well to shield the CBs. He reads the game well, and the attacks that go through are 'filtered'.

At Utd, neither Fred nor McT can do that. They aren't natural DMs who can smell danger and extinguish attacks as they start brewing. I'm not saying we don't need to upgrade Lindelof, but my point is the new CB won't turn out to be a massive success unless we actually buy a top class DM
 

bucky

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I'm not even sure right wing is a need for United at all. Greenwood has been playing better recently and he needs time, so whilst that position was a definite issue a few months ago, I'm not sure it needs addressing now. You've got a young, English, home grown potentially world class player with a higher ceiling than Rashford...the last thing Greenwood needs is to be sat om the bench in all the big games behind some new signing. Greenwood and Diallo is an inexperienced RW pairing but they both need to be backed, especially Greenwood.

Having a world class striker is going to have a big impact on United though. Cavani is probably the best option currently as none of the others can lead the line, and he's likely going, so United need to bring in a genuinely world class striker, someone who can create his own chances and make it easier for the wingers. I think Haaland is the obvious option but if not, Martinez from Inter is a shout.

If United can head into next season with the following as the front three options, they have a chance of winning the league:

LW: Rashford, Martial, James
CF: Haaland, Ings/Wilson/Watkins
RW: Greenwood, Diallo, James
The problem with that is that Greenwood isn't a right winger and Haaland this summer is even less likely than Sancho was last year.
 

red thru&thru

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To get the 4 players we want, we will have to be very creative in the summer with our transfers. We would have to sell or do swap deals for some of our important squad players.

Sell or swap Fred to get a player like Ndidi or Camavinga.

Sell swap Dan James for Raphina (Leeds player)

Sell swap Martial for the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Haaland.

The CB is so tricky. I don't know who the obvious choice is out there. But we'd have to let go of Bailly or/& Axel.

I'd love to sign Sancho but I just don't see how when we need so many other players in the squad.