What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

Matthew84!

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If Rice is available with Lingard going the other way, perhaps give them Jones or Matic,
Sancho would be good but at the right price,
Another LB as Telles is so poor
 

Tallis

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In:
Sancho - £80m
Ruiz: £50m
Milenkovic: £20m
Trippier: £15

Out:
Pogba: £50m
Lingard: £20m
James: £20m
Dalot: £15m
Andreas: £10m
Bailly: £10m
Free: DDG,Romero, Jones, Chong, Mata

Net Spend: £40m

Strikers:Cavani, Martial, Mason
LW: Rash, Martial, Elanga
RW: Sancho, Mason, Amad

AM: Bruno, DVB, Mejbri
CM: Ruiz, DVB, Fred
DM: Fred, McTominay, Matic

Notable Loans: Mengi, Garner, Pellistri, Laird, Williams
 

mshnsh

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In:
Sancho - £80m
Ruiz: £50m
Milenkovic: £20m
Trippier: £15

Out:
Pogba: £50m
Lingard: £20m
James: £20m
Dalot: £15m
Andreas: £10m
Bailly: £10m
Free: DDG,Romero, Jones, Chong, Mata

Net Spend: £40m

Strikers:Cavani, Martial, Mason
LW: Rash, Martial, Elanga
RW: Sancho, Mason, Amad

AM: Bruno, DVB, Mejbri
CM: Ruiz, DVB, Fred
DM: Fred, McTominay, Matic

Notable Loans: Mengi, Garner, Pellistri, Laird, Williams
I wouldn't let Pogba go.
 

Monger

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Pogba will only leave in a swap deal;

RM for varane or Juve for Dybala. Both similar contract positions but highly unlikely to happen.

I wonder will chelsea move for Oblak and De Gea look for AM move. Could Saul be negotiated the other way?
 

theklr

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I genuinly believe Glazers will spend big this summer, but if we spend it wisely is an entirely other question. But Sancho an either a high profile CB or DM would be my guess, and I hope we go for a DM.
 

lex talionis

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Ole is pretty comfortable with McFred. I’m not but I’m not United manager.

Expect the marquee acquisitions to be RW and CB.
 

Lux Thunder

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I've been surprised how the position of right-back is somehow overlooked discussing our priorities and hopefully game against Roma last night opened some eyes and changed opinions. Williams looked all over the place ! Maybe because we recently spent big on AWB, but we lack some depth in there. Can't even think about games when Tuanzebe step in this position without feeling disturbed by the fact that an EPL team of our reputation should have at least two players for each position who are natural there ( except for injuries ). Painful to watch.

Also, we seriously lack some width to stretch the opponents who sit deep against us in some games. AWB is slowly progressing there but I personally doubt he will ever be at a title challenge team level in terms of offering a real threat from the right side of the pitch. So whenever we play Rashford or James at right-wing I think that idea behind this is to offer quality width there but they both are not efficient enough as this is not a natural/preferred position for them. Personally, love to see Greenwood there but on that occasion, we lack width as he likes to cut inside to finish actions.

Ole should define these options for next season, either giving chance to Dalot or promoting Laird when he is back. If not, we should seriously look for a new name to add.

One to think of is Max Aarons, who could be a very good option to rotate as his approach to the game is less direct than AWB's. He is technically decent, more comfortable with the ball than AWB, and his ability on the ball, short passes, and ball progression can give us another option in the build-up in certain games. Should be available for a decent price.

Hopefully, we will be in the market for a new name on the right side, either right-back or winger to have a more balanced team.
 

theklr

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I've been surprised how the position of right-back is somehow overlooked discussing our priorities and hopefully game against Roma last night opened some eyes and changed opinions. Williams looked all over the place ! Maybe because we recently spent big on AWB, but we lack some depth in there. Can't even think about games when Tuanzebe step in this position without feeling disturbed by the fact that an EPL team of our reputation should have at least two players for each position who are natural there ( except for injuries ). Painful to watch.

Also, we seriously lack some width to stretch the opponents who sit deep against us in some games. AWB is slowly progressing there but I personally doubt he will ever be at a title challenge team level in terms of offering a real threat from the right side of the pitch. So whenever we play Rashford or James at right-wing I think that idea behind this is to offer quality width there but they both are not efficient enough as this is not a natural/preferred position for them. Personally, love to see Greenwood there but on that occasion, we lack width as he likes to cut inside to finish actions.

Ole should define these options for next season, either giving chance to Dalot or promoting Laird when he is back. If not, we should seriously look for a new name to add.

One to think of is Max Aarons, who could be a very good option to rotate as his approach to the game is less direct than AWB's. He is technically decent, more comfortable with the ball than AWB, and his ability on the ball, short passes, and ball progression can give us another option in the build-up in certain games. Should be available for a decent price.

Hopefully, we will be in the market for a new name on the right side, either right-back or winger to have a more balanced team.
Think Trippier might still be an option for us
 

rimaldo

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i think cavani shows us what a shit hot striker would do for us. get someone in who will be fit for the year and they will paper over some other cracks that we can fill at a later date. there aren’t that many of that fit the bill in the world or that many that are available unfortunately. hopefully someone at the top has an idea of what we need and we buy in accordance with who is available/obtainable over the next few windows. feels like we’re close to breaking back in to the big boys, but it’s the hope that kills you.
 

Lux Thunder

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Think Trippier might still be an option for us
Very good option too, considering he will enter his last year of the contract this summer, but I doubt that Atletico will let him go having no adequate backup themselves ( Vrsaljko way off the level after injuries, on-loan Arias recovering from the major injury).
 

croadyman

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I genuinly believe Glazers will spend big this summer, but if we spend it wisely is an entirely other question. But Sancho an either a high profile CB or DM would be my guess, and I hope we go for a DM.
Yeah we need all three to be properly backed
 

croadyman

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Ole is pretty comfortable with McFred. I’m not but I’m not United manager.

Expect the marquee acquisitions to be RW and CB.
Still think we only get a marquee in one of those positions but maybe will get proved wrong
 

croadyman

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i think cavani shows us what a shit hot striker would do for us. get someone in who will be fit for the year and they will paper over some other cracks that we can fill at a later date. there aren’t that many of that fit the bill in the world or that many that are available unfortunately. hopefully someone at the top has an idea of what we need and we buy in accordance with who is available/obtainable over the next few windows. feels like we’re close to breaking back in to the big boys, but it’s the hope that kills you.
Feel the only way we can really break back into the top group is by Ole being sufficiently backed
 

manuchamp88

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I genuinly believe Glazers will spend big this summer, but if we spend it wisely is an entirely other question. But Sancho an either a high profile CB or DM would be my guess, and I hope we go for a DM.
But why would they? To appease fans that want them out of the club anyway?
 

Olecurls99

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We don't need a goalkeeper. Henderson despite a few jitters looks like he has the ability to be our number 1. We then have great back ups in De Gea and Romero. I don't buy into the idea that you should only have 1 top goalkeeper but if someone came in and offered 30 million for De Gea I'd take it and wish him well. Romero could then go back to being our cup goalie.

We don't need a defender. I like the balance of the 8 we have, and I put down the poor performance by the second string against Roma to a lack of game time. On that note I would like to see Williams and Tuanzebe going out on loan, under the terms that if we need them we can recall them right away. Let go the other defenders, Jones etc.

We need a ball playing midfielder. A somewhat creative player who can retain the ball under pressure and has the defensive discipline to snuff out attacks. Carrick at 25 essentially. I would like to see Donny having a go at this if we have a few experimental games towards the end of the season. I don't watch enough football to know who else there is. Maybe Saul at Atletico. Not Rice. He's not good enough on the ball.

We need another option in attack. Cavani, Martial, Rashford, Bruno, Pogba, Greenwood, James offers a lot but another top class talent (Grealish) and we will win the league. It means 2 of our top 4 can get injured and we still have enough quality to scare anyone.

So 2 players please, 1 if Donny proves to be Carrick reborn. :)
 

Dante

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We could raise a decent amount from sales:
Pogba £60m
De Gea £20m
Lingard £25m
Pereira+Dalot+Mata+Tuanzebe £15m

Then buy:
Grealish £90m
Torres £55m
Neves £50m
Backup GK £5m

A net outlay of £80m doesn't seem unreasonable.

GK: Henderson/backup
RB: AWB/Laird (or Williams)
LB: Shaw/Telles
CB: Maguire, Torres/Lindelof, Bailly
CM: Neves, McTominay/Fred, Garner (or Matic)
AM: Bruno/VdB
WF: Rashford, Grealish/Greenwood, James
CF: Cavani/Martial

That squad could compete on all fronts. Maybe a little over-reliant on kids. But this is United, so I wouldn't want it any other way.
 

Jibbs

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Whenever I have posted on this thread first thing I have said is a competent manager... somebody like Pep, Klopp, Tuchel, Poch.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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DM CB and RW should be priority this window with Rice Varane and Sancho as the main targets. I don't know what our budget is but I imagine it would be able to get only two of them at best. In that case I'd get Rice, Varane and Vazquez on a free this window.

The focus this summer should be having a solid base as that is a major influence on a title challenging team in the league. Rashford, Pogba, Martial, Cavani, Vazquez and Greenwood are good attacking options for the front three. Varane and Rice should give us a solid base

Against lesser sides -

Cavani
Rashford Bruno Greenwood
Pogba Rice
Shaw Varane Maguire Awb
Henderson
Against tough teams

Cavani
Pogba Bruno Greenwood
Fred Rice
Shaw Varane Maguire Awb
Henderson
I think we can challenge for the title with this team. In the summer 2022 we focus on getting a striker and Sancho with a year left on his contract. I do think this coming window is when we get Sancho though
 

theklr

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But why would they? To appease fans that want them out of the club anyway?
That , and they have alot of saved up money from last window. They were planning it even before Super League. At least thats the rumours
 

georgipep

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We could raise a decent amount from sales:
Pogba £60m
De Gea £20m
Lingard £25m
Pereira+Dalot+Mata+Tuanzebe £15m

Then buy:
Grealish £90m
Torres £55m
Neves £50m
Backup GK £5m

A net outlay of £80m doesn't seem unreasonable.

GK: Henderson/backup
RB: AWB/Laird (or Williams)
LB: Shaw/Telles
CB: Maguire, Torres/Lindelof, Bailly
CM: Neves, McTominay/Fred, Garner (or Matic)
AM: Bruno/VdB
WF: Rashford, Grealish/Greenwood, James
CF: Cavani/Martial

That squad could compete on all fronts. Maybe a little over-reliant on kids. But this is United, so I wouldn't want it any other way.
If Mata leaves he will be allowed to go without a fee.

I certainly hope we don't sell Pogba. The rest of the outgoings are realistic, I think.

On the incoming side, not too sure about Neves and £50m is an expensive punt but ok. However, I do feel that this is finally the summer we're getting Sancho so all of these seem dependent on that transfer not happening.
 

jesperjaap

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Have to say it amazes me the amount of ideal first elevens for next season, that have Pogba playing in the double pivot. Is the feeling Rice gives him more stability to go forward? Maybe true, but he was hardly consistent playing there when he had stability from Matic or/and Herrera playing to support him.

For me Pogba roams on the left and that is competition with Rashford, or you sell him as I think his transfer value buys players who will be better in the double pivot
 
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Have to say it amazes me the amount of ideal first elevens for next season, that have Pogba playing in the double pivot. Is the feeling Rice gives him more stability to go forward? Maybe true, but he was hardly consistent playing there when he had stability from Matic or/and Herrera playing to support him.

For me Pogba roams on the left and that is competition with Rashford, or you sell him as I think his transfer value buys players who will be better in the double pivot
he can’t play there. It’s pure fantasy to think he can do so effectively.

he plays on the left or as part of a 3.
 

Tallis

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Have to say it amazes me the amount of ideal first elevens for next season, that have Pogba playing in the double pivot. Is the feeling Rice gives him more stability to go forward? Maybe true, but he was hardly consistent playing there when he had stability from Matic or/and Herrera playing to support him.

For me Pogba roams on the left and that is competition with Rashford, or you sell him as I think his transfer value buys players who will be better in the double pivot
Surprises me too as stats prove that Fred performs better than Rice in defensive metrics. If Pog doesn’t work with Fred, unlikely he works with Rice.

For similar reasons, I suggest letting Pog go and signing Ruiz. I would also love to sign a DM but my pick would be either Ndidi or Bentancur. They are different types of DM but would add something to us.
 

JohnnyLaw

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Have to say it amazes me the amount of ideal first elevens for next season, that have Pogba playing in the double pivot. Is the feeling Rice gives him more stability to go forward? Maybe true, but he was hardly consistent playing there when he had stability from Matic or/and Herrera playing to support him.

For me Pogba roams on the left and that is competition with Rashford, or you sell him as I think his transfer value buys players who will be better in the double pivot
The issue with Rice is that you’re also banking on Pogba to stay fit and consistant throughout, otherwise the benefit of investing in someone like Rice is completely negated.
 

Lux Thunder

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We don't need a defender. I like the balance of the 8 we have, and I put down the poor performance by the second string against Roma to a lack of game time. On that note I would like to see Williams and Tuanzebe going out on loan, under the terms that if we need them we can recall them right away. Let go the other defenders, Jones, etc.


We need a ball playing midfielder. A somewhat creative player who can retain the ball under pressure and has the defensive discipline to snuff out attacks.

Agree that is down to lack of game time, but for some reason, Ole lost his trust in him and I'm concerned about AWB playing so many minutes without the decent option to rotate.


As for the midfield, someone mentioned Brozović and I also think he would be a good addition. His work rate and stamina are similar to McFred's and he is better on the ball, more comfortable when pressed, and has a decent passing ability to break up opponents' lines. Inter could be looking to sell with recent rumors about their financial situation and he is also entering his last year of the contract, although I believe that Ole is more than happy to go with McFred for another season.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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Last season after the restart, our best midfield was Matic - Pogba -Bruno. There were more people saying we needed a more mobile Matic going into this season than there were saying Pogba can't play in the double pivot. I agree that he's a defensive liability there but maybe we can manage that if we get a solid DM and CB and play him there only against lesser or less tricky sides
 
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theklr

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Surprises me too as stats prove that Fred performs better than Rice in defensive metrics. If Pog doesn’t work with Fred, unlikely he works with Rice.

For similar reasons, I suggest letting Pog go and signing Ruiz. I would also love to sign a DM but my pick would be either Ndidi or Bentancur. They are different types of DM but would add something to us.
The main difference with Fred and Rice that I can see, is that Fred is abit more high risk defending when he lunges into press/tackles. If he’s successful it works, but if he gets turned we are immidiately unbalanced , at least if Pogba is in the pivot.

Seems to me Rice is more conservative and prioritizes defensive structure over high risk/reward interception tackles. E.g. he wont try a interception if he sees a negative outcome will make the team vulnerable.

That is purely from eye test though, so might be mistaken.
 

Lux Thunder

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Last season after the restart, our best midfield was Matic - Pogba -Bruno. There were more people saying we needed a more mobile Matic going into this season than there were saying Pogba can't play in the double pivot. I agree that he's a defensive liability there but we can manage that if we get a solid DM and CB and play him there only against lesser or less tricky sides
The thing with Matic is that he usually gets his minutes against lesser sides who defend deep and he tends to drop deep in the build-up when it is not required. A midfielder should drop deep in case we need the numerical advantage to progress further on the pitch, but that is rare against those sides.

On another side, this leaves Pogba ( or anyone ) isolated in the midle, with the opponent having outnumbered him and having a tough time trying to influence the game despite his talents. Those times we look slow, more reliant on CBs to progress and break the opponent line as they have much more time on the ball than our midfielder who should dictate and create and our opponent look hard to break. And Pogba also faced criticism in those games as he looked "uninterested".

McFred is a solid base for our front four, no matter which opponent we are facing, to both be expressive in possession and to go press to win the ball back in good positions. Especially in "big games", when our CBs could face that sort of pressure, Ole would stick with McFred as Matic simply doesn't have legs so I can see Matic leave as we have no use from him. I agree Pogba can do a job in double pivot but I'm a big fan of him making the use of that left half-space.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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If all three of Kane, Haaland and Lewandowski are available, this might be the best time to buy a center forward. Real and Barcelona are looking like they'll stick to their guns on the super league and that could come with a 2 year champions league ban plus both are relatively skint. Barca might end up with Aguero anyways. PSG already has Neymar and Mbappe, so our competition will be the English teams plus Bayern. None of those three will go to a team that already has another top #9, Chelsea might still go for Lukaku, so surely we can land one?
 

Devil may care

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I hate stats as a whole as they lack context, I mean I'm not Rice's biggest fan but it's clear to the eye that Rice is a defensively better piece of a team than Fred, his positioning is much better to where he likely doesn't need to make as many tackles as Fred, he's a proper holding midfielder where as Fred is a box to box.

We could raise a decent amount from sales:
Pogba £60m
De Gea £20m
Lingard £25m
Pereira+Dalot+Mata+Tuanzebe £15m

Then buy:
Grealish £90m
Torres £55m
Neves £50m
Backup GK £5m

A net outlay of £80m doesn't seem unreasonable.

GK: Henderson/backup
RB: AWB/Laird (or Williams)
LB: Shaw/Telles
CB: Maguire, Torres/Lindelof, Bailly
CM: Neves, McTominay/Fred, Garner (or Matic)
AM: Bruno/VdB
WF: Rashford, Grealish/Greenwood, James
CF: Cavani/Martial

That squad could compete on all fronts. Maybe a little over-reliant on kids. But this is United, so I wouldn't want it any other way.
I mean the players you want to buy are subjective of course but I think if we sell De Gea we should be getting more than we get for Lingard in the last year of his contract.


Have to say it amazes me the amount of ideal first elevens for next season, that have Pogba playing in the double pivot. Is the feeling Rice gives him more stability to go forward? Maybe true, but he was hardly consistent playing there when he had stability from Matic or/and Herrera playing to support him.

For me Pogba roams on the left and that is competition with Rashford, or you sell him as I think his transfer value buys players who will be better in the double pivot
he can’t play there. It’s pure fantasy to think he can do so effectively.

he plays on the left or as part of a 3.
I hope more fans start to see this, I feel for the most part Ole has, he tried it again against Roma so Van de Beek could play higher up and yanked him for Matic. There's a sample of games where Pogba has played well in the double pivot, he's a very talented player so it's hardly surprising, but the best Pogba is the one with attacking freedom, you can tell the way he's talked about his recent LM role that he's happier there and it reminds him of his Juve role which was where he played his best football.
 

reddevilchennai

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I think Sancho would be the priority signing from Glazers to pacify the fans. He would solve our RW problem. Our attacks will be evenly distributed on both sides if he get him.

If we could get someone like Rice (Linger plus cash), we could try to play him along with Pogba and Bruno. But think we need a fast CB like Kounde so that we can easily play the above mentioned 3 in midfield without any worries.

I would be happy even if we get Sancho and Rice alone.
 

Mylock

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In:
Sancho - £80m
Ruiz: £50m
Milenkovic: £20m
Trippier: £15

Out:
Pogba: £50m
Lingard: £20m
James: £20m
Dalot: £15m
Andreas: £10m
Bailly: £10m
Free: DDG,Romero, Jones, Chong, Mata

Net Spend: £40m

Strikers:Cavani, Martial, Mason
LW: Rash, Martial, Elanga
RW: Sancho, Mason, Amad

AM: Bruno, DVB, Mejbri
CM: Ruiz, DVB, Fred
DM: Fred, McTominay, Matic

Notable Loans: Mengi, Garner, Pellistri, Laird, Williams
Milenkovic is not even as good as what we have already.
 

justsomebloke

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It's funny how perceived priorities have been fluctuating this season. Not that long ago, it seemed like a CB and a striker were the obvious and most pressing needs. Now, that doesn't look as obvious any more, with Cavani really coming into his own and maybe signing on for another year, and the defence showing a lot more solidity. Of course, that doesn't mean we no longer need long term solution at striker or a CB upgrade, it's just there are other priorities which start moving to the forefront for this coming window.

Another big impact factor is that Pogba now seems to have settled on the left flank as his best position, rather than the no 8. That means the forward line becomes more crowded, and that we have more need of reinforcement in the central midfield.

Right now, I'd say the priorities should look like this:


1. A central midfielder with better all-round qualities than McFred.
Options: Camavinga, Rice, Kamara

2. A starting XI quality forward/attacking midfielder who can play on the right. If he can also play in the central position, that's a big bonus.
Options: Grealish, Sancho, Kulusevski, Neto. And maybe Reyna?

3. A clear no 1 striker
Options: Haaland, Kane, Silva

4. A backup/offensive option on right back
Options: Trippier, Lamptey

5. A top quality CB
Options: Kounde, Varane, Torres

Two further points for the discussion:

1. The indicated transfer budget for the summer (85m) doesn't go that far, but how big is the potential for augmenting that with sales?

If De Gea gets sold to a top club (PSG, f.e.), he should surely fetch around 50m, with a backup replacement not costing more than 10-20m. Dalot and Pereira might each bring in at least 15m, Jones maybe 5m. Then there's Lingard, who may bring in another 30m or so. If Mata leaves, that's some wages saved. Additionally, there's players who will need to be moved as a result of any signings made:

Matic, if we bring in a central midfielder. Probably not much, but maybe a 3-5m loan fee somewhere, plus wages saved?
Martial, if we bring in a striker. That should be significant, 40-50m?
Bailly, presumably, if we bring in a CB. I don't know, 20-30m?

All in all, it may not be utopian to assume sales might double the transfer budget, or more.

2. How many players should we bring in?

Beyond what we can afford, there's some downside to bringing in too many new players at once, especially in a squad that seems to be gelling so well. Wouldn't more than 3 be excessive, not counting the GKs?
 

croadyman

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It's funny how perceived priorities have been fluctuating this season. Not that long ago, it seemed like a CB and a striker were the obvious and most pressing needs. Now, that doesn't look as obvious any more, with Cavani really coming into his own and maybe signing on for another year, and the defence showing a lot more solidity. Of course, that doesn't mean we no longer need long term solution at striker or a CB upgrade, it's just there are other priorities which start moving to the forefront for this coming window.

Another big impact factor is that Pogba now seems to have settled on the left flank as his best position, rather than the no 8. That means the forward line becomes more crowded, and that we have more need of reinforcement in the central midfield.

Right now, I'd say the priorities should look like this:


1. A central midfielder with better all-round qualities than McFred.
Options: Camavinga, Rice, Kamara

2. A starting XI quality forward/attacking midfielder who can play on the right. If he can also play in the central position, that's a big bonus.
Options: Grealish, Sancho, Kulusevski, Neto. And maybe Reyna?

3. A clear no 1 striker
Options: Haaland, Kane, Silva

4. A backup/offensive option on right back
Options: Trippier, Lamptey

5. A top quality CB
Options: Kounde, Varane, Torres

Two further points for the discussion:

1. The indicated transfer budget for the summer (85m) doesn't go that far, but how big is the potential for augmenting that with sales?

If De Gea gets sold to a top club (PSG, f.e.), he should surely fetch around 50m, with a backup replacement not costing more than 10-20m. Dalot and Pereira might each bring in at least 15m, Jones maybe 5m. Then there's Lingard, who may bring in another 30m or so. If Mata leaves, that's some wages saved. Additionally, there's players who will need to be moved as a result of any signings made:

Matic, if we bring in a central midfielder. Probably not much, but maybe a 3-5m loan fee somewhere, plus wages saved?
Martial, if we bring in a striker. That should be significant, 40-50m?
Bailly, presumably, if we bring in a CB. I don't know, 20-30m?

All in all, it may not be utopian to assume sales might double the transfer budget, or more.

2. How many players should we bring in?

Beyond what we can afford, there's some downside to bringing in too many new players at once, especially in a squad that seems to be gelling so well. Wouldn't more than 3 be excessive, not counting the GKs?
Yeah I think the most realistic coming in this summer would be

CB/CDM

RW

backup RB
 

Lux Thunder

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It's funny how perceived priorities have been fluctuating this season. Not that long ago, it seemed like a CB and a striker were the obvious and most pressing needs. Now, that doesn't look as obvious any more, with Cavani really coming into his own and maybe signing on for another year, and the defence showing a lot more solidity. Of course, that doesn't mean we no longer need long term solution at striker or a CB upgrade, it's just there are other priorities which start moving to the forefront for this coming window.

Another big impact factor is that Pogba now seems to have settled on the left flank as his best position, rather than the no 8. That means the forward line becomes more crowded, and that we have more need of reinforcement in the central midfield.

Right now, I'd say the priorities should look like this:


1. A central midfielder with better all-round qualities than McFred.
Options: Camavinga, Rice, Kamara

2. A starting XI quality forward/attacking midfielder who can play on the right. If he can also play in the central position, that's a big bonus.
Options: Grealish, Sancho, Kulusevski, Neto. And maybe Reyna?

3. A clear no 1 striker
Options: Haaland, Kane, Silva

4. A backup/offensive option on right back
Options: Trippier, Lamptey

5. A top quality CB
Options: Kounde, Varane, Torres

Two further points for the discussion:

1. The indicated transfer budget for the summer (85m) doesn't go that far, but how big is the potential for augmenting that with sales?

If De Gea gets sold to a top club (PSG, f.e.), he should surely fetch around 50m, with a backup replacement not costing more than 10-20m. Dalot and Pereira might each bring in at least 15m, Jones maybe 5m. Then there's Lingard, who may bring in another 30m or so. If Mata leaves, that's some wages saved. Additionally, there's players who will need to be moved as a result of any signings made:

Matic, if we bring in a central midfielder. Probably not much, but maybe a 3-5m loan fee somewhere, plus wages saved?
Martial, if we bring in a striker. That should be significant, 40-50m?
Bailly, presumably, if we bring in a CB. I don't know, 20-30m?

All in all, it may not be utopian to assume sales might double the transfer budget or more.

2. How many players should we bring in?

Beyond what we can afford, there's some downside to bringing in too many new players at once, especially in a squad that seems to be gelling so well. Wouldn't more than 3 be excessive, not counting the GKs?
Agree almost completely.

1. Camavinga is a player we should have a look at, entering the last year of the contract, looking a good prospect even his form drop a little bit since his breakout season. Seems very comfortable to play in double pivot and offer play in both directions. Could face competition likely from R.Madrid and price would depend on it, but probably available for 35-40 million.

2. Sancho. Pay it. 80 million. Even though I love Grealish, Sancho seems a better fit.

3. Would spent 25-30 mil on it, I will add Aarons as an option to the you mentioned.

Depends on the budget size, but will be more than happy with 2 of those 3 and Cavani to stay. Great you mentioned how priorities can change almost from game to game, with Lindelof outmuscled today on several occasions.

If we are in for a CB, I like the look of Benoit Badiashile, even we should probably go for an immediate starter. Ticks all boxes for me: left-footed, young but have some senior experience, good both on the ball and in the air, decent pace, attainable for 35-40 mil. But I doubt that we push for CB given a Baily contract extension.
 
Last edited:

jesperjaap

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Ideally a centre back, two central midfielders for the pivot, a right winger and a striker....unrealistic to sign all.

If there are no major outgoings:

Centre Back - Romagnoli £25m
Central Midfielder - Kamara £30m
Central Midfielder - Camavinga £50m

For me these are the priorities over attacking positions. Lindelof has improved and done well the last two or three months in all fairness....but he is neither the right partner for Maguire to me nor is he consistently good enough, still errors and weaknesses get exposed, saw again today that I dont trust him in a title push. Add to that we only have injury prone defenders as back up.

Have also heard several pundits saying Ole doesnt trust our defence fully that is why he has McFred as protection. Improving our defence allows us to be more expansive in the double pivot, which for me is the weakest part of our side as I only think Matic and Garner are ideally suited for the defensive role there and one is ageing, one unproven.....Kamara changes that. I also dont think either of McFred have a level of technique on the ball or creativity to really play transitions at the tempo we really want.....Camavinga changes that.

As for the right wing, I dont see Greenwood there long term though he is doing well. But we have already invested heavily in youth there and have Pellestri, Amad and Shoetire to add to James. Not forgetting if Pogba stays and is played on the elft, we can expect (tho not effective for me there) Rashford to move over to the right quite often.....for me we only invest in a right winger if Pogba goes (Greenwood, Elanga and James can all be cover on the left that Pogba has vacated).

As for the striker, was and is a priority if Cavani goes, if he stays I only see us investing in one if there are other big sales Martial/VDB for example. Lets face it, short term Cavani even next season should be giving us a number of good games. Only really Haaland and Kane significantly improve on that of players available and we are talking £100-150m. Calvert-Lewin/Vlahivic are other interesting names but again we are talking over £50m.

Im summary I think we are looking at £200m for the ideal right winger and striker, without major sales that would be our business done. Would I rather do that when we have Cavani another season and Greenwoo on the right with a number of youth players breaking through..............or would I invest about half that amount rebuilding what for me are both the three weakest positions in our first eleven and also the three with the lease cover for
 

lex talionis

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The priority clearly is at the attacking positions, but if sufficient funds are available to load up DM and CB, then let’s go for it.

Right now it seems a safe bet that Cavani is leaving us. If we’re wrong about that then at least it has to be acknowledged that he’s not going to play 45+ games for us. Whatever the case may be, we cannot go into another RW season without a striker. But if we keep Cavani and develop Greenwood at CF, we clearly need a RW. Maybe Sancho (my pick) but it’s going to James or Diallo.

If we can keep Cavani for another season the priority has to Sancho, full stop.
 

gorky_utd

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1. CB
2. RW.
3.CDM that is the priority for me.
I really hope we atleast sign 2 first team players while keeping Pogba and Cavani. The team looks good and with proper addition can go for the title next season.