After Tuesday nights performance I stayed away from the forum for my own sanity and hoped on returning there would be some semblance of realisation that we are no where near as good as recent lucky wins against what can be best described as average teams and if you are happy to accept such, there in lies the problem.
The squad as a whole is full of only just above average players and highlights the recruiting problems over a number of years of buying players for all the wrong reasons, whether this be Tia Maria who from the start never wanted to be here,Sanchez where it was clear he was money mercenary. Defenders who either cant defend or provide any quality going forward . Ageing players Schweinsteiger, Matic, Blanc, who in their pomp were all excellent players but what was not needed at the time.
The squad depth is and has been for a number of years full of players of players who are never going to get anywhere near a first team run out and are sat languishing on expensive contracts.
Players kept for too long no matter what there previous worth was to the club, in this I include the likes of Rooney, Mata, Valencia, Lingard, Rojo to name but few
Until this club takes a good hard look at itself and admits the problems and sets out 4-5 year plan with the cahoonas to implement such, be outspoken unforgiving and ruthless even if this means peeing some squad members off.
If not unfortunately this malaise of doing all right and finishing in the top 4-6 will continue.
If I could start with a summer clear-out from the first team
DDG needs to leave, undoubtedly a very good keeper but recent years has shown signs of weakness, clearly and understandably has shown a desire to return to Spain - Replacement Henderson
Pogba- Not sure what his position is and what he brings to the team despite the odd flash of inspiration, is too much of liability and again I think he wants to go
Martial- As much as I would have loved to see him develop I cant see it happening and doesn't seem happy and with the likes of Rashford and Greenwood all vying for the No 9 spot 3 into 1 don't go
The above 3 would bring in realistically approx £150 million.
players not quite good enough or coming to an end , Mata, Matic (Free Transfers) frees up wages costs. Lingard no disrespect and is a tryer and always given his best but not up to scratch and may be able to get a few million for him rather than going on a free in a couple of years plus saving in wages. Dalot never going to make it and may recoup a few million and Bailly similarly. James simply not good enough if you have any real aspirations of competing at the top level .
The list of the deadwood- too many to mention, sitting on their backsides need to be moved on and in no uncertain terms told to leave and find somewhere else to play and if they refuse name them and pay up their contracts - Short term detrimental to finances but as it stands we going to end up paying them anyway plus all the other incidental expenses.
From these sales alone would net £175-£200 million and free up a lot of wages, so what is needed
A centre back who is quick and mobile, a top quality central midfielder playing the No 6 position, with the likes of Fred and Mctominy as back up and the perennial debate a right sided player of some note .
Not the easiest shopping list admittedly but we would have a budget of £175-200 Million to start with
