I think its clear where we are heading in regards to transfers this summer. Exactly what the club wants. Ten Hag wants Timber, the clubs wants Pau Torres. Ten Hag wants De Jong we will go for Neves. Ten Hag wanted Nunez we will go for Richarlison. Nothings changed here.
What would be the perfect Transfer Window for our rebuild?
- Thread starter MyOnlySolskjaer
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
The absolute minimum for me to be confident that United can break into the top 4 next season will be:
RB, DM and RW - all absolutely vital
These will be supplemented by youth players getting formal promotions to the 1st team (Fernandez/Hannibal/Garnacho) and loan returnees staying (Van de Beek/ Garner/Martial) and Dean Henderson staying.
RB, DM and RW - all absolutely vital
These will be supplemented by youth players getting formal promotions to the 1st team (Fernandez/Hannibal/Garnacho) and loan returnees staying (Van de Beek/ Garner/Martial) and Dean Henderson staying.
What Id like to see: Eriksen, De Jong, DM (who knows), Timber and Nunez. But we likely only get 3 to 4.
We need signings in 8 positions for a 'perfect' window. We'll probably wait til next summer for GK, LB, LCB and RW though.
GK - Sanchéz
LB - Malacia
LCB - Badiashile
RCB/RB - Timber
DM - Sangaré
CM - Frenkie
ST - Nkunku
RW - Antony
GK - Sanchéz
LB - Malacia
LCB - Badiashile
RCB/RB - Timber
DM - Sangaré
CM - Frenkie
ST - Nkunku
RW - Antony
Very pessimistic of getting them at this point but I think we need five:
Two central midfielders
Forward, preferably one who can play on the right and central
Right back
Centre half
Two central midfielders
Forward, preferably one who can play on the right and central
Right back
Centre half
Timber
De Jong
Eriksen
Richarlison
If we get those four only I would be happy with our business. Would cost around £150m and that would probably be our budget.
De Jong
Eriksen
Richarlison
If we get those four only I would be happy with our business. Would cost around £150m and that would probably be our budget.
To be fair one major issue we have had is signing players the managers have wanted.
Expectations are incredibly low on ETH the signings you have mentioned should be good enough for him in the short term.
Obviously he may get more out of 'his players' in the long term but if it isn't in the vision of the people in the club's structure then it is long term worse for the team
Thanks for your thoughts. I think you hit onto something regarding technique. It seems ETH will be the most discerning manager we’ve had for ages, if not ever, when it comes to close control and technical ability.
Pau Torres, Neves and Richarlison have been very quiet of late.
I'd say what is clear is that we like Timber but he may well stay another year (due to World Cup and development). We can then hopefully persuade him next summer after we make progress and get CL etc. He can then come in with Maguire or Lindelof moved on in 2023. In the meantime, we seem to have switched focus to a left-footed CB as we've been linked to Torres, Gvardiol, Inacio, Botman and now Bastoni. The good thing about each of those is that they are all considered good on the ball with varying degrees of pace/physicality. So at least it's consistently a ball-playing left-footed CB that is being linked.
Our latest links do seem very Football Manager-like. Bastoni, Nunez and De Jong are all amazing in the game so maybe some of the journos play too much!
Yeah I reckon we will only be looking for top technicians now. If he wants to play the way he did at Ajax in the PL then they have to be of the very highest technical ability.
Especially the full backs
I'm hoping Shaw will get his act together and Dalot can turn into a good defender. He has the technical skills to play in a 1 and 2 touch team. It's difficult to find players that will definitely come in and produce. I reckon he should give these 2 a chance at the full back positions this year.
This year I'd like a midfielder and an attacker to go straight into the 1st team.
Raphinha and Caqueret would be my dream picks. We would instantly provide the threat with Raphinha and Sancho to make teams back off and then we would have a real baller in the middle to pick the lock.
De Gea
Dalot Varane Lindelof Shaw
Caqueret
Bruno Fred/Donny
Raphinha Sancho
Ronaldo
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It looks good and all,exept why on earth would you have Pogba there? Havent we seen enugh of him?
De Jong is the dream signing for me, if it happens than it'll be a win this window regardless. Tchouameni was the other dream, but never happening. Ideally we'd get a 2nd midfielder, but i don't see it. If FdJ comes, he'll partner probably Mctominay (I would not be surprised), and then the backup 2 would be Fred and Garner. Fred is a much better player, but I don't see him as a FdJ partner, McTominay would probably fit the role better despite being mediocre. Ruben Neves as an alternative to FdJ would be sad.
With Darwin looking like he's off to Liverpool, not sure where we return for attack. Antony would be a great signing and finally give us some balance on the right, but no noise there. But I'd move to Antony if Darwin isn't happening, and then can look at a new striker next year when Ronaldo is gone and rotate Rashford or Martial in the mean time. But a front 3 that has Sancho, Ronaldo, Antony as the starters and Rashford, martial, elanga as the backup 3 is fine.
Right back I think we should be desperate for. If Ten Hag feels Timber can be that guy while providing cover at CB, then go for it. Don't see others available anyway.
So at this point, it's FdJ, Timber, Antony. Past them ... feck knows who.
With Darwin looking like he's off to Liverpool, not sure where we return for attack. Antony would be a great signing and finally give us some balance on the right, but no noise there. But I'd move to Antony if Darwin isn't happening, and then can look at a new striker next year when Ronaldo is gone and rotate Rashford or Martial in the mean time. But a front 3 that has Sancho, Ronaldo, Antony as the starters and Rashford, martial, elanga as the backup 3 is fine.
Right back I think we should be desperate for. If Ten Hag feels Timber can be that guy while providing cover at CB, then go for it. Don't see others available anyway.
So at this point, it's FdJ, Timber, Antony. Past them ... feck knows who.
Thanks mate !
And also my apologies but I strongly disagree with you about the striker position.
Although I'm very well aware of Nunez's qualities, if the reported transfer budget is to some extent true I would rather see us spending more on midfielders than allocating most of our budget to Nunez. There is no point to spent that money on Nunez if you don't upgrade your creativity and ball control first + we already have the greatest goal scorer in the history of the game.I know, his goal-scoring numbers are great, but IMO it would be a very risky move at a quoted price tag as I'm afraid he would struggle to find spaces and get chances within the current squad, especially against low-block teams. This is why I include Giouri who I rate highly. I think he can, in certain systems, develop into a great attacker if not a world-class and he seems to be more suitable for possession-based fluid football we all expect from ETH than Nunez and also is capable of playing both in the center or from the left-wing
As for my picks and that they are "great but not for smaller club..not for United this time"..people should get slightly realistic - we are currently behind our rivals and surely not a preferred destination for top talents, apart from possibly ones that worked with ETH previously and can be influenced by him, so my list includes mostly players that are the ones I think you can get and not the most perfect ones we all want to see.
Youngsters from my picture are included almost randomly and their promotion and playing time or loaning out heavily depend on outgoings and new players. For Fernandez and Brandon, I agree Fernandez looks more a talent but who could get a chance depends on what ETH would like from that position. If he plays with back 4 and wants LB to drop and create three with two CBs then the choice is probably Shaw; if he wants overlaping attacking LB who will provide width on the left side then he will go with Fernandez; if he wants someone in the more inverted role then he will have Brandon in the squad.
That's mostly why I think that LB and RB positions should be more urgent in next summer then this as I have a belief that ETH could work some combination out for that positions and get a top4 spot this season.
But we most certainly agree about Sanchez, I'm an absolute fan of him.
Cheers !
A signing would be good!
Timber, Rice, de Jong, Gnabry and Nunez in.
Henderson, Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe, AWB and Martial out.
At a net cost of up to 300 million. But you did write "perfect".
Henderson, Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe, AWB and Martial out.
At a net cost of up to 300 million. But you did write "perfect".
How about Timber, Sangare, de Jong and Antony? I'd be happy with those four for around £180m, and a full back or two if we manage to shift some deadwood. Nkunku for next season.
Talented 23-26 year olds that fit the managers system.
Do exactly what Liverpool did initially.
Do exactly what Liverpool did initially.
Unrealistic: DM/CM de Jong, Koné, RW Gnabry FW Nkunku, RB/CB Timber, LB Q. Merlin or Hickey
Realistic: DM/CM de Jong (or Fabián, NDombele, Doucouré), Koné, RW: Antony or Olise, FW: Moreno, Evanilson, RB/CB Timber, LB Q. Merlin or Hickey
Realistic: DM/CM de Jong (or Fabián, NDombele, Doucouré), Koné, RW: Antony or Olise, FW: Moreno, Evanilson, RB/CB Timber, LB Q. Merlin or Hickey
Personally, I'd be quite relieved if we don't chuck big money at getting a striker onboard.
For me, there are far more important areas of that first XI that need addressing.
2 top draw MFs.
This is the absolute priority, even if we do no other business, we must get those onboard.
De Jong and a great ball winner, as we just cannot persist with McFred for yet another season, please.....
I'd love an exciting RB to come in. Someone like Dumfries or Dest as examples, but there are loads of options out there.
I'd also love to see a top class CB, but I cannot for the life of me seeing the club effectively writing off Maguire.
All the talk about Timber, I think the club are probably just looking for a squad player, not a starter so I don't see that happening.
A bonus would be a right sided attacker, Nkunku or Antony perhaps, but again, this really depends how the club feel about Amad, Pellistri, Garnacho, Shoretire and even Rashford getting more game time.
Dare I say, even Greenwood too, because he might yet come back into the equation..!!
So for me, I'm really not setting the bar too high.
Just sort that poxy Midfield out with two top class players, and an outstanding RB, and I'd be delighted with that.
For me, there are far more important areas of that first XI that need addressing.
2 top draw MFs.
This is the absolute priority, even if we do no other business, we must get those onboard.
De Jong and a great ball winner, as we just cannot persist with McFred for yet another season, please.....
I'd love an exciting RB to come in. Someone like Dumfries or Dest as examples, but there are loads of options out there.
I'd also love to see a top class CB, but I cannot for the life of me seeing the club effectively writing off Maguire.
All the talk about Timber, I think the club are probably just looking for a squad player, not a starter so I don't see that happening.
A bonus would be a right sided attacker, Nkunku or Antony perhaps, but again, this really depends how the club feel about Amad, Pellistri, Garnacho, Shoretire and even Rashford getting more game time.
Dare I say, even Greenwood too, because he might yet come back into the equation..!!
So for me, I'm really not setting the bar too high.
Just sort that poxy Midfield out with two top class players, and an outstanding RB, and I'd be delighted with that.
Gone for free:
Pogba
Lingard
Mata
Matic
Sell (combined 100-125M):
Henderson - 30-35M
Martial - 25-30M
AWB - 25M
Axel - 10-15M
Amad - 10M - I'm willing to let him go (prefer to keep Pellistri)
Pereira - 5M or free
Jones - 5M or free
New signings (220-245M)
FDJ - 65M - #1 target, ETH to build team around him
Fabian Ruiz - 25M - cheap for the quality he has, we need a massive improvement in midfield, so need both FDJ and him
Timber - 35-40M - #2 on ETH list, will improve our build up from the back, covers for RB as well.
Raphina - 55M - to solve our RW problem; that's the most questionable transfer, might need to go for a backup option
Patrick Schick - 40-45M - cheap for the quality he has, good backup for Ronaldo
Robert Sánchez - 15-20M - cheap upgrade on Henderson, good option for build up from the back and controlling the box
Academy players - give them until January under ETH - with EL and the domestic cups it's possible to give them a few games + maybe a sub or two in the PL, then in January decide to keep, loan or sell
Garner
Levitt
Hannibal
Laird
Pellistri
Williams
Shoretire
Garnacho
Fernandez
McNeil
Elanga
Team:
GK: DDG/Sanchez/Heaton
RB: Dalot/Laird/Williams/Timber
LB: Shaw/Telles/Williams/Fernandez
CB: Timber/HM/Varane/Lindelof/Bailly/
CM: FDJ/Ruiz/DVB/Fred/McT/Garner/Levitt/Hannibal
AM: Bruno/DVB/Shoretire/Hannibal/McT/Sancho
LW/RW: Raphina/Sancho/Rashford/Elanga/Garnacho/McNeil/Pellistri/Shoretire
ST: CR7/Schick/Rashford/Garnacho (maybe Bruno/McNeil to cover as a possible false 9?)
Pogba
Lingard
Mata
Matic
Sell (combined 100-125M):
Henderson - 30-35M
Martial - 25-30M
AWB - 25M
Axel - 10-15M
Amad - 10M - I'm willing to let him go (prefer to keep Pellistri)
Pereira - 5M or free
Jones - 5M or free
New signings (220-245M)
FDJ - 65M - #1 target, ETH to build team around him
Fabian Ruiz - 25M - cheap for the quality he has, we need a massive improvement in midfield, so need both FDJ and him
Timber - 35-40M - #2 on ETH list, will improve our build up from the back, covers for RB as well.
Raphina - 55M - to solve our RW problem; that's the most questionable transfer, might need to go for a backup option
Patrick Schick - 40-45M - cheap for the quality he has, good backup for Ronaldo
Robert Sánchez - 15-20M - cheap upgrade on Henderson, good option for build up from the back and controlling the box
Academy players - give them until January under ETH - with EL and the domestic cups it's possible to give them a few games + maybe a sub or two in the PL, then in January decide to keep, loan or sell
Garner
Levitt
Hannibal
Laird
Pellistri
Williams
Shoretire
Garnacho
Fernandez
McNeil
Elanga
Team:
GK: DDG/Sanchez/Heaton
RB: Dalot/Laird/Williams/Timber
LB: Shaw/Telles/Williams/Fernandez
CB: Timber/HM/Varane/Lindelof/Bailly/
CM: FDJ/Ruiz/DVB/Fred/McT/Garner/Levitt/Hannibal
AM: Bruno/DVB/Shoretire/Hannibal/McT/Sancho
LW/RW: Raphina/Sancho/Rashford/Elanga/Garnacho/McNeil/Pellistri/Shoretire
ST: CR7/Schick/Rashford/Garnacho (maybe Bruno/McNeil to cover as a possible false 9?)
Yeah that's exactly what we need
Do you have Timber as CB/RB
Gvardiol, Timber, Enzo Fernandez, DeJOng, Giouri
A possible stellar new centre back pairing long term, in the short term both can also play full back dependant on form and injuries of our crock defense, also allows opprotunties from thebench for our young full backs in certain games.
Probably over £200m and Giouri not even been linked.
I think we ay sign Timber and DeJOng plus a striker. I am glad it isnt Nunez personally as though he will get goals and do well at Liverpool, cost wise I dont think he was a good deal for us this season with our priorities....but I think the centre forward we do sign will be underwhelming.
I think we will sign four and the fourth better be a midfielder that can defend or I think we are in trouble without the ball again regardless of Ten Hags system and coaching.
I think we need six or seven signings, we simply cant fill all those gaps and have to hope a couple of these youngsters like Hannibal, Pellestri, Amad, Laird, Garner can step up on top of a few players that have been poor improving.
I am hoping for 5, expecting 4 but concerned it may just be 3
A possible stellar new centre back pairing long term, in the short term both can also play full back dependant on form and injuries of our crock defense, also allows opprotunties from thebench for our young full backs in certain games.
Probably over £200m and Giouri not even been linked.
I think we ay sign Timber and DeJOng plus a striker. I am glad it isnt Nunez personally as though he will get goals and do well at Liverpool, cost wise I dont think he was a good deal for us this season with our priorities....but I think the centre forward we do sign will be underwhelming.
I think we will sign four and the fourth better be a midfielder that can defend or I think we are in trouble without the ball again regardless of Ten Hags system and coaching.
I think we need six or seven signings, we simply cant fill all those gaps and have to hope a couple of these youngsters like Hannibal, Pellestri, Amad, Laird, Garner can step up on top of a few players that have been poor improving.
I am hoping for 5, expecting 4 but concerned it may just be 3
Yeah hoping we can get Timber, left footed centre back, De Jong, DM and left footed right forward too.
However gut feeling is it might be no DM as can see us all in for a Rice/Bellingham next summer.
JWP
Sangare
De Jong
Raphina
Aarons
Sangare
De Jong
Raphina
Aarons
I would be happy with just three solid signings this summer and see how we go, sort out the midfield and a CB:
De Jong
Rice
Timber (I don’t know much about him but ETH seems to want him)
De Jong
Rice
Timber (I don’t know much about him but ETH seems to want him)
Could see a move for Rice IF we had City finances
2 midfielders and a RB bare minimum.
Ideally we would need the 3 aforementioned plus a 9, RW and a CB as well.
Ideally we would need the 3 aforementioned plus a 9, RW and a CB as well.
Perfectly transfer window, while being realistic with the budget we have, would include getting a few midfielders in, a centre back/right back and a forward.
I'd go:
De Jong £60m
Sangare/Bissouma (if cleared of all charges) £30m
Romagnoli Free
Timber £30m
Antony £40m
Eriksen Free
I'd go:
De Jong £60m
Sangare/Bissouma (if cleared of all charges) £30m
Romagnoli Free
Timber £30m
Antony £40m
Eriksen Free
Meh, whoever is available.
I can't help but get Lindelof vibes with Torres, however I am probably very much mistaken
They look similar, both handsome, both not fast.
Yeah well balanced, however think it would take more than £30m for Bissouma and like you say dependent on being cleared.
He's in the final year of his contract at Brighton so around £30m should do it otherwise they risk losing him on a free.
Yeah that's why I think we need more of a Ndicka type to complement Rafa, well that's if he can stay fit of course.
I think if the structure of the team is better, then the current defender could perform better. Our lack of pressure in front of them leads us to get swamped and constantly working on the back foot.
De Jong, Timber, Antony, Eriksen and possibly Aarons if one of the full-backs is sold.
Pretty much covers our major shortage/weaknesses.
Pretty much covers our major shortage/weaknesses.
IN:
Frenkie
Timber
Antony/Raphinia
Trossard
Aarons
OUT:
Wan Bissaka
Jones
Bailly
Pereira
Martial
Telles
Frenkie
Timber
Antony/Raphinia
Trossard
Aarons
OUT:
Wan Bissaka
Jones
Bailly
Pereira
Martial
Telles