Was discussing this with a friend and it’s actually quite disturbing considering all the money we’ve spent. For me only Sancho and Varane are the quality required though it could be argued that LB is in decent shape between Shaw and Telles. Bruno was the big debate between us. I just think he is problematic unless he can play deeper with more responsibility, much like Pogba.
So that leaves it at a tentative 3 out of 11 positions sorted for me which again is quite shocking. So much investment still needed. What a state we are in. What says you ? Am I being overly pessimistic ?
I don't understand this. Sancho has been rubbish for much of his first season to date, though better in the last few weeks, while Varane has been average. Of course they were impressive performers for their previous clubs in different countries, as were many of our expensive purchases since Sir Alex retired, few of whom have been clear successes.
De Gea competing against Henderson is fine. As is Dalot and Wan-Bissaka, Shaw and Telles. Lindelof, Bailly, Varane and Maguire; again the issue is selecting players in form, rather than the individual quality, provided the system is sensible. McTominay and Fred are good players though we probably need a genuine DM for some matches. Fernandes is fine. Rashford, Sancho, even Elanga, seem ok to me. I'd bring back Pellistri and Amad as occasional starters, mainly options from the bench.
Striker looks problematic. I quite like Rashford centrally but he was one of several players that looked good while Solskjaer was temporary manager then useless in the last couple of months that season. It isn't obvious to me what will happen to Ronaldo or Martial in the summer.
Overall, I think we need a 20 PL starts DM and a striker for a similar number of starts.
If anything, I think the lack of a sensible system and the ridiculous decision to the select the team by reputation rather than form, has been what has hurt us this season. We keep falling into the trap of believing that a star signing will solve a problem, only for it to create another issue. I want team players that work hard out of possession, are prepared to make runs off the ball, make intelligent decisions in the final third and accept being substituted and benched if not performing at their peak.