If Pogba is leaving we definitely need to sign a world class DM so we can exploit the likes of DVB , McT and even Fred in more advanced roles.So I'm starting to think that Rice is not bad choice given his age , PL experience and that he is English and I can't reckon a English player who wouldn't love to play for United so we have a motivation too which is always a good thing.The only problem would be probably if the price is too high.
Which midfielder do you prefer?
- Thread starter bond19821982
- Start date
And Phillips’ said quantity is ’defending’? I don’t understand the confusion here. I’ve not made this graph.
No, I meant it's possible to disagree with the quality call of a stats-based graph like that (and the way they group these players is such a, rather crude, quality call), and simply answering "but this is based on stats" isn't necessarily a conclusive counter-argument.
I think if Pogba stays, then a pure DM such as Rice or Ndidi is a must, to allow a balance between two attacking MFs such as Bruno & Pogba.
I don't know what sort of money West Ham expect for Rice, but realistically how can they seriously ask for more than Sancho cost..?
But show a bit of ruthlessness and move on Jones - Free, Periera - £5m, Matic - £5m, James - £20, Lingard £20 you could make £50m and save £10m in wages.
We'll see just how ambitious the club are over the next few weeks, and how determined they are to trim this bloated squad and reinvest.
He actually is a good passer which is why I’m surprised
It's all relative isn't it, so that just means the other players are better passers.
If Neves is going for 35m, forego the RB for now and sign him. We need someone who can sit in midfield and actually pass a football more consistently.
If Pogba goes, sign another one and the RB. Seems to make more sense that way.
If Pogba goes, sign another one and the RB. Seems to make more sense that way.
He’s okay, wouldn’t say he’s a good passer. Looked very limited for England in the Euros and looks more like he’s built for his energy and tacking primarily.
Again he’s played within himself for England. His passing for Leeds is more expansive
Casemiro is the choice for me. Should be available for a reasonable fee with two years left and Real looking to raise funds.
I've liked him for a while and believed him to be the perfect player for us. Disappointed when he moved to Paris. Me kinda DM. Think him better suited to us in comparison to most of the names being thrown around.
Julian Weigl is still playing in Portugal. Very similar to Carrick.
Ndidi is the answer. We need a CDM who can help us to win the ball in matches againt TOP teams.
We basically need a Kante from about 4-5 years ago. The option to play one DM rather than two would be game changing for our best XI
He's not very good. For a while he looked like an incredible talent at Dortmund but it turned out to be a purple patch.
Neves or someone better than him for CM. We shouldn't be signing another with less ball playing ability.
Casemiro and Neves and we'd be set for life after Pogba.
Camavinga if he genuinely wants to be here.
Hes a good passer though and ok defensively. Id rather have Neves out of the two but there are other options for DLP out there. A lot of the players we're being linked with are box to box players which imo we dont really need. We're absolutely crying out for a midfielder who can orchestrate play IMO.
I know theyre looking to make sales but theyd be stupid to actually choose to sell him surely?
Camavinga > Bissouma = Ruben Neves >>> Rice
If Pogba leaves someone more attack minded in addition. Goretzka > Aouar > Sabitzer > Saul.
If Pogba leaves someone more attack minded in addition. Goretzka > Aouar > Sabitzer > Saul.
Would love some of what you're smoking. Casemiro is untouchable at Real.
There is an interesting debate here about the kind of midfielder we're after; a pure destroyer or more of a deep-lying playmaker. It seems people who want the former think this will be they key to playing Bruno and Pogba regularly in the same team. I personally think we can do that anyway against the small sides, but that there's no DM in the world that will allow us to do it against top sides who press us, as both of them are just not positionally disciplined enough and never will be.
I'm in the latter category that wants a deep-lying playmaker, as I believe the problem we had last season was that we lacked creativity from deep, and the McFred midfield made us too negative, especially in the big games. Getting someone like Neves or Parades as someone else mentioned means our deepest midfielder will actually be highly creative, which will be important both against weaker sides who just sit back and defend, and better sides where we will need to play a double pivot but have players who will allow us to keep the ball and dictate the tempo of the game. We'll still have to play one of Fred or McTominay in big games to give us balance, but having one as a shuttler alongside a deeper player who can play line-breaking passes will make us far more effective I believe.
So for instance:
Our midfield/attack against Newcastle:
--------------Neves--------------
Bruno----------------Pogba
Sancho-----------------Rashford
---------------Cavani----------------
Our midfield/attack against City:
Neves-----------------Fred/Scott
----------------Bruno-----------------
Sancho------------------Pogba/Rashford
---------------Cavani---------------------
A couple of seasons ago in the championship he was putting up crazy stats, but so too was James Maddison when he was there. I think it was simply a case of a top class player being in the Championship, well below his level. He's a top class midfielder obviously but his passing stats at premier league and international level arent that remarkable.
Solskjærs cousin is currently in my office. He told me they both joined the Liverpool supporters club together
obviously before Solskjær joined United. He also told me the only time he cheered for a United goal was a goal in his testimonial game.
Contemplating whether to ask him about any inside transfer news, but surely he wouldn't know anything?
obviously before Solskjær joined United. He also told me the only time he cheered for a United goal was a goal in his testimonial game.Contemplating whether to ask him about any inside transfer news, but surely he wouldn't know anything?
Not even when Ole won the CL in the last second of the game?!!Solskjærs cousin is currently in my office. He told me they both joined the Liverpool supporters club together
Contemplating whether to ask him about any inside transfer news, but surely he wouldn't know anything?
Some Cousin.. kick him out
Apparently not
imagine being such a hardcore Liverpool fan, and then your cousin from a small town in Norway wins the CL in the last second for the team you hate the most.Which midfielder i prefer? And refer to United most use formation. A 4-2-3-1 formation?
In that 4231 formation. The CM duo. I prefer should be a a defensive nr.6 and a offensive creative nr.8. And this creative and offensive for me. In my football philosophy. Is the nr.8 in the category of Paul Scholes, Joshua Kimmich and Luka Modric type of player.
A nr.8 that is not only really good on passing and dictate from the cm area. But this player, playing for me. I will demand he has ability to drive and run forward with the ball, pass players and ability to link up with the attacking 4 and ability to score around 5 goals each season. A more free role nr.8. Not only sit back and be discipline. You dont limit a world class players like Scholes or Kimmich to only to sit back and dictate from the deep. Nr.8 in that cm duo is not like that. To hold a little back role belong to the defensive nr.6. As long as you dont go ultra offensive out against sitting back teams and parking with 2 really offensive cm players.
And since i mentioned Kimmich as the ideal nr.8. It was the reason why Germany were so poor in Euro 2020. Joshua Kimmich as RB?Not as a cm player?Then it right time to change the German head coach.
So since Joshua Kimmich is the ideal and dream signing. But unrealistic to believe Bayern Munich will sell Kimmich.
I will go for and prefer Nicola Barella from Inter Milano. Easily. Barella is the closest you can come to Scholes and Kimmich. Barella is not good as passing. Barella is good in everything. Passing, making run with the ball and ability to score and assist. High football vision and understanding. Well documented in this following video of him.
Nicola Barella won Serie A in his first full season with Inter. Following winning Euro 2020 with Italy. This boy is simply a winner.
And since Inter found it difficult to keep theirs best players and manager. Due to finance problem. Like Conte leaving and Hakimi to PSG.
If i was Barella. Its not funny to see best players leaving Inter. If the club aiming and goal is to win Ch.league or Seria A again.
So if i was United DOF or head coach or owner with a football passion. I will def try to sign Nicola Barella.
Imagine super skillful Barella, Bruno and Sancho in the team. 3 really good and fast skill ful players in the same team and line up. It will be really difficult for opponents teams to handle.
Barella from a deeper cm area, link up with a nr.10 Bruno and Sancho on either wide side. With a sharp and clinical nr.9 upfront. That is the way to go.
So i can come to conclusion my vote and prefer nr.8 is Nicola Barella. From a really good top club like Inter. But they are not like Bayern Munich, who always keep theirs best players. So Barella from Inter to Manchester United is not a unrealistic buy, in my world. Nothing is impossible and never say never.
The another big quesetion is : Do United have another 70 £ mill to buy? His market value is 65 mill euro. But he just won Serie A and Euro 2020. equal good and importan for a team like Jadon Sancho. Not lower than Sancho price at 70 £ mill. Barella at 70 -80 mill £ plus add ons, is good deal for every parts. Still only 24 years old. Perfect age for United young age squad. Not 28.
In that 4231 formation. The CM duo. I prefer should be a a defensive nr.6 and a offensive creative nr.8. And this creative and offensive for me. In my football philosophy. Is the nr.8 in the category of Paul Scholes, Joshua Kimmich and Luka Modric type of player.
A nr.8 that is not only really good on passing and dictate from the cm area. But this player, playing for me. I will demand he has ability to drive and run forward with the ball, pass players and ability to link up with the attacking 4 and ability to score around 5 goals each season. A more free role nr.8. Not only sit back and be discipline. You dont limit a world class players like Scholes or Kimmich to only to sit back and dictate from the deep. Nr.8 in that cm duo is not like that. To hold a little back role belong to the defensive nr.6. As long as you dont go ultra offensive out against sitting back teams and parking with 2 really offensive cm players.
And since i mentioned Kimmich as the ideal nr.8. It was the reason why Germany were so poor in Euro 2020. Joshua Kimmich as RB?Not as a cm player?Then it right time to change the German head coach.
So since Joshua Kimmich is the ideal and dream signing. But unrealistic to believe Bayern Munich will sell Kimmich.
I will go for and prefer Nicola Barella from Inter Milano. Easily. Barella is the closest you can come to Scholes and Kimmich. Barella is not good as passing. Barella is good in everything. Passing, making run with the ball and ability to score and assist. High football vision and understanding. Well documented in this following video of him.
Nicola Barella won Serie A in his first full season with Inter. Following winning Euro 2020 with Italy. This boy is simply a winner.
And since Inter found it difficult to keep theirs best players and manager. Due to finance problem. Like Conte leaving and Hakimi to PSG.
If i was Barella. Its not funny to see best players leaving Inter. If the club aiming and goal is to win Ch.league or Seria A again.
So if i was United DOF or head coach or owner with a football passion. I will def try to sign Nicola Barella.
Imagine super skillful Barella, Bruno and Sancho in the team. 3 really good and fast skill ful players in the same team and line up. It will be really difficult for opponents teams to handle.
Barella from a deeper cm area, link up with a nr.10 Bruno and Sancho on either wide side. With a sharp and clinical nr.9 upfront. That is the way to go.
So i can come to conclusion my vote and prefer nr.8 is Nicola Barella. From a really good top club like Inter. But they are not like Bayern Munich, who always keep theirs best players. So Barella from Inter to Manchester United is not a unrealistic buy, in my world. Nothing is impossible and never say never.
The another big quesetion is : Do United have another 70 £ mill to buy? His market value is 65 mill euro. But he just won Serie A and Euro 2020. equal good and importan for a team like Jadon Sancho. Not lower than Sancho price at 70 £ mill. Barella at 70 -80 mill £ plus add ons, is good deal for every parts. Still only 24 years old. Perfect age for United young age squad. Not 28.
Last edited:
Locatelli only wants to go to Juve, Inter won't sell Barella, we have no chance of signing Kimmich, in the unlikely event we get Goretzka it wont be until next season, Rice is fortunately priced out and unfortunately we don't look like testing Barcelona's resolve for De Jong. So that seems to leave us with a choice of 3 unless we make a surprise move for someone like Fabian Ruiz.
Camavinga - My #1 pick from the midfielders we're linked to but my worry is that Ole won't start an 18 year old over McFred.
Saul - He's like a more refined Herrera, solid all rounder but not great at anything.
Neves - Good passing range and solid combatively, but his lack of mobility could be an issue.
Camavinga - My #1 pick from the midfielders we're linked to but my worry is that Ole won't start an 18 year old over McFred.
Saul - He's like a more refined Herrera, solid all rounder but not great at anything.
Neves - Good passing range and solid combatively, but his lack of mobility could be an issue.
Last edited:
De Jong or Paredes would be my choice but I'm not sure if either would be available, affordable or even want the move. I think Neves is the most interesting option currently.
I would be very very worried if he did. McFred , for all their shortcomings , are extremly integral to the team and system.
Anyone expecting a 18 year old from League 1 to be a regular starter for us the first year is simply wrong. He’ll play mostly in cups or at the end of matches if we are comfortable. Both our system and PL takes alot of time to grow accustomed to, especially in that particular role/position. He is a signing for the future not next seasons title challenge.
McFred hold us back, I'd hope Ole would give anyone brought in a chance regardless of age, but I don't trust him too. Out of the other 2 Neves would probably be the only one guaranteed to start because he's been playing in the PL for 2 years, in truth I'm not overly enthusiastic about any of the current CM links, these aren't the Varane level improvements our midfield needs.
I am definitely coming round to the way of thinking that we don't necessarily need a pure DM with Rafael & Harry behind them, however do get the point of view that not having this kind of player would mean we get swamped in midfield. My top choice is Camavinga but at the same time I am willing to give either Saul/Neves the chance to prove me wrong on them
I think we made a move for him when Jose was in charge but obviously it didn't happen. Worth a try for sure.
If there is ANY POSSIBILITY in the world we should go all in, i have read i BM forums that they are worried that he not to keen sign a new contract because he feels that the Bundesliga is so far behind PL that he needs a new challenge since he has won't everything there and there is no competition there, with one year left on his contract they value him around 50 euros. Also he seems to prefer PL more then La Liga, a never Real are all in for Mbappe while Barcelona can't afford toilet paper. I know that he is more s box to box player but IF there is any chance in the world that we have a chance to buy him then we should go all in for him. Also Camavinga for 30m is a no brainer. Sign them both and extend Pogbas contract.
De Gea/Henderson
AWB/Dalot
Shaw/Telles
Varane/Maguire/Lindelöf/Tuanzebe
Pogba/Bruno/Goretzka/Fred/McTominey/
Camavinga/Mata/
Sancho/James
Rashford/Elanga
Cavani/Greenwood
Sell: Bailly 25m, Jones 5m, Matic 5m, Lingaard 30m, Perreira 15m, Martial 40m
=120m euro
Goretzka 50m, Camavinga 30m, Varane 50m, Sancho 85m =215m
95m total spent and we have a squad that is deep enough and have quality enough to fight on all fronts. If we could add one more CDM like Zakaria for 55m and our total spending would be around 150m netto and we would be ready to win the PL this year already. And no this is not dreaming or FM, if someone said a couple of months ago that Varane would play in Man UTD this year everybody would laugh, and remember, star player attracts other star players and this year with Sancho and Vsrane we should take the advantage to attract other WC player like Goretzka and convince them that we are building a team that can compete for both PL and CL. If get him, don't be surprised if we get Haaland next year. Just having Sancho and specielly OSG here will make him think about it.
De Gea/Henderson
AWB/Dalot
Shaw/Telles
Varane/Maguire/Lindelöf/Tuanzebe
Pogba/Bruno/Goretzka/Fred/McTominey/
Camavinga/Mata/
Sancho/James
Rashford/Elanga
Cavani/Greenwood
Sell: Bailly 25m, Jones 5m, Matic 5m, Lingaard 30m, Perreira 15m, Martial 40m
=120m euro
Goretzka 50m, Camavinga 30m, Varane 50m, Sancho 85m =215m
95m total spent and we have a squad that is deep enough and have quality enough to fight on all fronts. If we could add one more CDM like Zakaria for 55m and our total spending would be around 150m netto and we would be ready to win the PL this year already. And no this is not dreaming or FM, if someone said a couple of months ago that Varane would play in Man UTD this year everybody would laugh, and remember, star player attracts other star players and this year with Sancho and Vsrane we should take the advantage to attract other WC player like Goretzka and convince them that we are building a team that can compete for both PL and CL. If get him, don't be surprised if we get Haaland next year. Just having Sancho and specielly OSG here will make him think about it.
The one midfielder that I feel would be a perfect fit and would lift us to the level of City etc is Kimmich.
He has two years left on his contract, but is also paid alot less than Sane. I think the job is to sell him on our team. Bayern is having contract issues with Goretzka and Coeman and Alaba has already left. I think now would be the perfect time to try to unsettle Kimmich.
He has two years left on his contract, but is also paid alot less than Sane. I think the job is to sell him on our team. Bayern is having contract issues with Goretzka and Coeman and Alaba has already left. I think now would be the perfect time to try to unsettle Kimmich.
Kimmich is Bayern's poster boy and their future captain. It's like expecting United on selling Rashford/Greenwood.
I suspect we may have to pay 10m to Jones so he can go away rather than someone paying us a 5m fee.
Nice list, today we linked to Ilaix Moriba from Barca (By Fabrizo Romano). Seems he is going to be our surprise signing
What about Tchouaméni from Monaco as the DM? It looks like he could be a future star. I'm surprised we are not linked with him. I'd be interested in people's opinion who have seen he play not just on YouTube.
cant help find this hilarious considering hes basically a squad player, cant start ahead of Fred and Scott, never had more then 3/4 good games on the trot in what 4/5 years he has been here but we need 2 players to replace him
