Transfer Tweets - Manchester United - 2022/23 | Follow the OP rules and check the quality of your sources before posting. STAY ON TOPIC!

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Erik ten Hag has wasted little time showing Manchester United’s players who is boss as he attempts to bring an end to the chaos on and off the pitch at Old Trafford but the problems are stacking up for the manager ahead of Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Brighton.

How do you solve a problem like Ronaldo?

United head into the new season with their manager and star player on a potential collision course. Any hope that the soap opera surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo might quieten ahead of United’s opening Premier League game against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday has been shattered by the events of recent days. As if Ronaldo’s desire to quit Old Trafford and his absence from their entire pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia for family reasons was not problem enough, the wantaway striker has now found himself publicly scolded by Ten Hag for the “unacceptable” decision to leave Sunday’s friendly at home to Rayo Vallecano before the game had finished.

Ronaldo was not the only player to be reprimanded for making an early exit against Rayo but how the five-time World Player of the Year reacts to having his ego pricked in such fashion will be interesting, especially as the doors close on a potential move away before the close of the transfer window at the end of the month. By making an example of Ronaldo, Ten Hag has shown he is unafraid to tackle the dressing room’s most high profile player and biggest earner head on and will not make exceptions in his bid to instill discipline, raise standards and unite what was a splintered dressing room last season.

But that does not mean he has made an already difficult situation any easier to manage and you only needed to witness the awkward touchline exchange between Ronaldo and Ten Hag during a first half drinks break against Rayo to glimpse the tensions. Unsettled star players are a manager’s worst nightmare and the reality is they don’t come much bigger than Ronaldo, whose much trumpeted return to Old Trafford 12 months is turning into a nightmare for both player and club. United have maintained Ronaldo - who was understood to be on a commercial shoot on Wednesday - is not for sale and going nowhere but at what cost?

There could be further trouble to come with Ronaldo likely to have to contend with a place on the substitutes’ bench for the opening weeks of the campaign after only reporting back last Tuesday and it is still unclear how he will fit in Ten Hag’s plans to play a sustained pressing game.

Shades of Cesc Fabregas in Frenkie de Jong saga

Fourteen weeks have passed now since it became public that United were in discussions with Barcelona about signing Frenkie de Jong and fans are clinging to the hope that the torturous pursuit of the Netherlands midfielder does not turn into a repeat of the Cesc Fabregas saga from 2013 - or worse and Chelsea steal him from under their noses.

Like Ten Hag now with De Jong, David Moyes had made Fabregas his priority transfer target in his first summer in charge at Old Trafford only to be left facing a frantic scramble for an alternative in the final three weeks of the window after the Spain midfielder, for whom United had two bids rebuffed, opted to stay at Barcelona. Moyes ended up having to settle for an eleventh hour deal for Marouane Fellaini after desperate moves for Daniele De Rossi and Ander Herrera also came to nothing. The situation is slightly different this time given that United have actually agreed a £72 million fee with Barcelona for De Jong. But the midfielder has given little indication that he wants to leave the Nou Camp and if United are forced to look elsewhere late in the window for the holding midfielder Ten Hag craves then they risk being held to ransom or forced to compromise.

United insist that they would not have got this far down the line if they did not believe De Jong was willing to come but the clock is ticking and there is also now the added threat of Chelsea muscling in. Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s new co-owner, recently had dinner with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in Barcelona and, if De Jong is forced out of the Nou Camp, it has long been felt he would prefer to join a club in the Champions League, something Chelsea can offer that United cannot. It has also been reported De Jong would prefer to live in London than Manchester if push came to shove. Whatever materialises, a deal cannot happen until there is some form of resolution with regards to the £17m De Jong is owed by Barcelona in wages he agreed to defer during the pandemic.

Where are the attacking reinforcements?

The De Jong saga is having a knock-on effect on United’s other transfer business, not least Ten Hag’s desire to strengthen his attack. The RB Salzburg and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko is one target of interest but United have so far been put off by his £50m plus price tag during talks and ideally want a No. 6 midfielder in the building first. Anthony Martial, who is expected to lead the line as centre-forward at Ronaldo’s expense against Brighton, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have enjoyed encouraging pre-seasons.

But, with Ronaldo short of match fitness and wanting out and the inexperienced Anthony Elanga and unproven, lightweight Amad Diallo the only other fallback options now Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard have left and Mason Greenwood is still unavailable, United are one injury away from a serious headache in attack. United have already backed away from Antony over Ajax’s valuation of the Brazil forward.

Sales needed to swell transfer kitty

Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Cavani and Lingard have left as free agents and Dean Henderson has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, all of which has cleared considerable space on the wage bill. But the £10m Fulham paid for midfielder Andreas Pereira is the only money United have recouped in sales so far and it remains to be seen how much cash the club can realistically generate from a planned defensive clear-out of the deadwood over the coming weeks.

United - who currently have seven senior centre-backs on their books - are prepared to listen to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Phil Jones, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe but a combination of high wages, poor form or troubled injury records are obstacles to extracting healthy transfer fees from suitors. Telles will undergo a medical with Sevilla on Thursday ahead of a season-long loan move although the deal does not include an option to buy and a loan, at best, seems the most likely scenario where Wan-Bissaka is concerned three years after the right back’s eye-watering £50m move from Crystal Palace.

Sevilla are also thought to be interested in Bailly, who has also attracted interest from Roma, with the Ivory Coast centre-half and Williams appearing to be United’s best chance of decent fees.

More anti-Glazer protests planned

As if Ten Hag did not have enough distractions to cope with, United’s game against Brighton will come amid a backdrop of more protests against the Glazer’s “unfit” ownership of the club. Pleas from the United chief executive Richard Arnold for fans to direct all their energy into supporting Ten Hag seem set to fall on deaf ears with The 1958 group vowing to stage another demonstration on Sunday that they hope will lead to the entrances to the club’s Megastore and directors’ tunnel at Old Trafford being temporarily closed off.

Probable Man Utd XI v Brighton: David De Gea; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes; Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.

Does feel like the club is quite likely to lurch in to full-blown crisis mode at some point this month. A good result and performance at the weekend is desperately needed, if only to put a silver lining on the gathering storm clouds.

 

[AndySmith1990]

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Erik ten Hag has wasted little time showing Manchester United’s players who is boss as he attempts to bring an end to the chaos on and off the pitch at Old Trafford but the problems are stacking up for the manager ahead of Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Brighton.

How do you solve a problem like Ronaldo?

United head into the new season with their manager and star player on a potential collision course. Any hope that the soap opera surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo might quieten ahead of United’s opening Premier League game against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday has been shattered by the events of recent days. As if Ronaldo’s desire to quit Old Trafford and his absence from their entire pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia for family reasons was not problem enough, the wantaway striker has now found himself publicly scolded by Ten Hag for the “unacceptable” decision to leave Sunday’s friendly at home to Rayo Vallecano before the game had finished.

Ronaldo was not the only player to be reprimanded for making an early exit against Rayo but how the five-time World Player of the Year reacts to having his ego pricked in such fashion will be interesting, especially as the doors close on a potential move away before the close of the transfer window at the end of the month. By making an example of Ronaldo, Ten Hag has shown he is unafraid to tackle the dressing room’s most high profile player and biggest earner head on and will not make exceptions in his bid to instill discipline, raise standards and unite what was a splintered dressing room last season.

But that does not mean he has made an already difficult situation any easier to manage and you only needed to witness the awkward touchline exchange between Ronaldo and Ten Hag during a first half drinks break against Rayo to glimpse the tensions. Unsettled star players are a manager’s worst nightmare and the reality is they don’t come much bigger than Ronaldo, whose much trumpeted return to Old Trafford 12 months is turning into a nightmare for both player and club. United have maintained Ronaldo - who was understood to be on a commercial shoot on Wednesday - is not for sale and going nowhere but at what cost?

There could be further trouble to come with Ronaldo likely to have to contend with a place on the substitutes’ bench for the opening weeks of the campaign after only reporting back last Tuesday and it is still unclear how he will fit in Ten Hag’s plans to play a sustained pressing game.

Shades of Cesc Fabregas in Frenkie de Jong saga

Fourteen weeks have passed now since it became public that United were in discussions with Barcelona about signing Frenkie de Jong and fans are clinging to the hope that the torturous pursuit of the Netherlands midfielder does not turn into a repeat of the Cesc Fabregas saga from 2013 - or worse and Chelsea steal him from under their noses.

Like Ten Hag now with De Jong, David Moyes had made Fabregas his priority transfer target in his first summer in charge at Old Trafford only to be left facing a frantic scramble for an alternative in the final three weeks of the window after the Spain midfielder, for whom United had two bids rebuffed, opted to stay at Barcelona. Moyes ended up having to settle for an eleventh hour deal for Marouane Fellaini after desperate moves for Daniele De Rossi and Ander Herrera also came to nothing. The situation is slightly different this time given that United have actually agreed a £72 million fee with Barcelona for De Jong. But the midfielder has given little indication that he wants to leave the Nou Camp and if United are forced to look elsewhere late in the window for the holding midfielder Ten Hag craves then they risk being held to ransom or forced to compromise.

United insist that they would not have got this far down the line if they did not believe De Jong was willing to come but the clock is ticking and there is also now the added threat of Chelsea muscling in. Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s new co-owner, recently had dinner with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in Barcelona and, if De Jong is forced out of the Nou Camp, it has long been felt he would prefer to join a club in the Champions League, something Chelsea can offer that United cannot. It has also been reported De Jong would prefer to live in London than Manchester if push came to shove. Whatever materialises, a deal cannot happen until there is some form of resolution with regards to the £17m De Jong is owed by Barcelona in wages he agreed to defer during the pandemic.

Where are the attacking reinforcements?

The De Jong saga is having a knock-on effect on United’s other transfer business, not least Ten Hag’s desire to strengthen his attack. The RB Salzburg and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko is one target of interest but United have so far been put off by his £50m plus price tag during talks and ideally want a No. 6 midfielder in the building first. Anthony Martial, who is expected to lead the line as centre-forward at Ronaldo’s expense against Brighton, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have enjoyed encouraging pre-seasons.

But, with Ronaldo short of match fitness and wanting out and the inexperienced Anthony Elanga and unproven, lightweight Amad Diallo the only other fallback options now Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard have left and Mason Greenwood is still unavailable, United are one injury away from a serious headache in attack. United have already backed away from Antony over Ajax’s valuation of the Brazil forward.

Sales needed to swell transfer kitty

Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Cavani and Lingard have left as free agents and Dean Henderson has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, all of which has cleared considerable space on the wage bill. But the £10m Fulham paid for midfielder Andreas Pereira is the only money United have recouped in sales so far and it remains to be seen how much cash the club can realistically generate from a planned defensive clear-out of the deadwood over the coming weeks.

United - who currently have seven senior centre-backs on their books - are prepared to listen to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Phil Jones, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe but a combination of high wages, poor form or troubled injury records are obstacles to extracting healthy transfer fees from suitors. Telles will undergo a medical with Sevilla on Thursday ahead of a season-long loan move although the deal does not include an option to buy and a loan, at best, seems the most likely scenario where Wan-Bissaka is concerned three years after the right back’s eye-watering £50m move from Crystal Palace.

Sevilla are also thought to be interested in Bailly, who has also attracted interest from Roma, with the Ivory Coast centre-half and Williams appearing to be United’s best chance of decent fees.

More anti-Glazer protests planned

As if Ten Hag did not have enough distractions to cope with, United’s game against Brighton will come amid a backdrop of more protests against the Glazer’s “unfit” ownership of the club. Pleas from the United chief executive Richard Arnold for fans to direct all their energy into supporting Ten Hag seem set to fall on deaf ears with The 1958 group vowing to stage another demonstration on Sunday that they hope will lead to the entrances to the club’s Megastore and directors’ tunnel at Old Trafford being temporarily closed off.

Probable Man Utd XI v Brighton: David De Gea; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes; Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.

The only issue that really concerns me is Ronaldo. He needs removing from the club asap

 

[Borys]

Why does it mean "fan protests"? What's happening?

 

[Infra-red]

Why does it mean "fan protests"? What's happening?

Protests against the Glazers will be happening this weekend (Sunday).

 

[Posh Red]

Why does it mean "fan protests"? What's happening?

Apparently anti Glazer protests arranged for Sunday

 

[Utd heap]

Why does it mean "fan protests"? What's happening?

There's an attempt to get the megastore shut down etc again. Marching from Salford Quays.

 

[manichester]

Billion dollar business on opening day with inferior stock, great planning

 

[Woodzy]

The media just trying to continue last seasons meltdown narrative because that’s the talking point that gets the attention. Absolutely crucial we perform against Brighton to shut these cnuts up.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Between Ducker, Neville and Goldbridge, we're in for plenty of negativity and bandwagon jumping as soon as the team have an off game, or if they don't show sign of improve after 3/4 weeks of the season starting.

Out of the 3 it baffles me that an idiot like Goldbridge has a platform and following that take OPINIONS on Man Utd as gospel. We took the piss out of platforms like AFTV for years, but he is that as a single character in his spare bedroom. Absolutely loves the negative narrative because it pays.

 

[100]

I’m finding their negativity hard to argue with this time round

 

[M4YON]

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[AltiUn]

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Ending up with Tielemans at holding mid would be the funniest outcome imaginable. I don't know if I'm more concerned if it's ten Hag or the scouting department that sees him in that role.

 

[m1tch]

Does feel like the club is quite likely to lurch in to full-blown crisis mode at some point this month. A good result and performance at the weekend is desperately needed, if only to put a silver lining on the gathering storm clouds.

Yeah Richard Arnold's pub outing bought the club a bit more time but it was becoming obvious then that things have not gone well again this summer.

Failure to strengthen our biggest areas of weakness, failure to permanently move on enough surplus players, and an underwhelming end to pre-season. A lot will be seeing how Arsenal are doing and no doubt rightly thinking that with them and spurs being our direct competition for 4th, the respective situations are making people very nervous.

We're no doubt still paying for the previous years' mistakes, and to have so much pressure on early season results under a new boss with mainly the same players that were so awful only months ago, is absolutely crazy. This is where we are though, the club has been severely mismanaged for decades, only SAF just covered up the cracks cause he was the greatest of all time.

EtH will have to cope with a lot this year unless he has us comfortably in the top 4 throughout.

 

[Lyng]

Ending up with Tielemans at holding mid would be the funniest outcome imaginable. I don't know if I'm more concerned if it's ten Hag or the scouting department that sees him in that role.

To be fair Lasse Schöne used to be a offensive midfielder and ended up as a bit of a defensive midfielder under Ten Hag.

 

[GaryLifo]

The media just trying to continue last seasons meltdown narrative because that’s the talking point that gets the attention. Absolutely crucial we perform against Brighton to shut these cnuts up.

Completely agree - then hammer Brentford and take at least a point from Liverpool while looking much closer to them during the game because we actually have a modern system of play.

Do that and the narrative will begin to change. 10 points from the 1st 4 games should be the minimum target (I realise that's not how football works mind!)

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

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It'd laughable Tielemans and Neves are seen as alternatives to De Jong. This is Woodward level scouting

 

[TheReligion]

It'd laughable Tielemans and Neves are seen as alternatives to De Jong. This is Woodward level scouting

Who is on your list?

 

[horsechoker]

Who is on your list?

Tacklov Defensivmid

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Who is on your list?

Fabians Ruiz is closer to De Jong than Tielemans

 

[TheReligion]

Fabians Ruiz is closer to De Jong than Tielemans

Okay so you want Ruiz. Not much of a list tbh but fair enough

 

[allesreiniger]

Disclamer: don’t know the tier.

twitter: Nabil_djellit: ziyech possibly to Manchester United

Another good Ajax player. Could be more easily transferable then FDJ or Antony.

 

[Loony BoB]

Every chance Ruiz was enquired about and shot down by Ruiz quickly due to a desire to move to Real Madrid materialising.

I'd prefer we sit out for a season without adding to our midfield with any big signings and get de Jong, Rice or some other notable person (who knows which players will rise up) next window than getting a meh alternative. Better off going for potential rather than big name if we can't get our primary target. Don't give big wages to people when you see them as unideal solutions.

 

[Suv666]

I just don't get why we bought a CB and a LB instead of mids and attackers. Makes absolutely no sense.

Fair enough if we didn't have the funds to buy 6-7 players we're not an oil club but its baffling that we bought players for the positions we least needed.

 

[Real Madras]

Clear as day we won’t get FDJ before Brighton. Which basically means the pressure to win that game is even bigger. Surely he would be watching the game. Seeing us lose or play anything like last season and he won’t answer Ten Hags calls again. We need to win every game until he comes, so he comes. Pressure is on.

 

[Loony BoB]

I just don't get why we bought a CB and a LB instead of mids and attackers. Makes absolutely no sense.

Fair enough if we didn't have the funds to buy 6-7 players we're not an oil club but its baffling that we bought players for the positions we least needed.

The intention has been stated many times in the media, they're going after a RW (was Antony, unsure if they're going to find another option), a ST (Sesko), a CM (de Jong) and a RB (???) in addition to the players we've already signed. We didn't sign the three players INSTEAD OF, we signed them with the intention of also having budget for other positions which has only partially materialised in the form of Eriksen, but it's blatantly clear that Sesko and de Jong are being looked at according to the media. We just have to wait and see what happens.

I totally agree with the manager that if players aren't willing to come to us or can't be purchased at value that we should continue to work with what we have. We don't have the lure of CL football right now and that's something we have to deal with in what appears to be a competitive market due to Barcelona splurging left right and center.

 

[Berbasbullet]

If we get Frenkie and Sesko then i have to say it's been a very good window (although I know little about the latter), but if were done now then criticism is well warranted.

 

[Loony BoB]

Still four weeks of transfer window, guys. I know it's not gonna happen in time for Brighton and perhaps not in time for later games either, but that's the World Cup year impact - we're starting two weeks earlier than we usually do. This is the manager's first window and he only arrived a couple of months ago, and it's our first window without Woody too which means a bit of change there. This was never going to be a super clean, flawless window where we sign everyone up in the first couple of weeks.

Not time to panic - yet. Is it going to be a rough window? Probably. They're never amazing when it's a bunch of people who are new to their positions and you've not got UCL football. Don't expect everything to be golden in time for the start of the season, but do expect we should sign at least one more notable signing, probably two. If we get two more by end of month, I'm content. If we get three more, great. If we get just one, I'll be concerned. If we get none, then yes, that's a disaster - but we are only half way through the window. Keep calm - for now.

Besides, how often have we waited until deadline day for big signings in the past? And that was when we were the peak club of the world, arguably, too.

 

[Utd heap]

Still four weeks of transfer window, guys. I know it's not gonna happen in time for Brighton and perhaps not in time for later games either, but that's the World Cup year impact - we're starting two weeks earlier than we usually do. This is the manager's first window and he only arrived a couple of months ago, and it's our first window without Woody too which means a bit of change there. This was never going to be a super clean, flawless window where we sign everyone up in the first couple of weeks.

Not time to panic - yet. Is it going to be a rough window? Probably. They're never amazing when it's a bunch of people who are new to their positions and you've not got UCL football. Don't expect everything to be golden in time for the start of the season, but do expect we should sign at least one more notable signing, probably two. If we get two more by end of month, I'm content. If we get three more, great. If we get just one, I'll be concerned. If we get none, then yes, that's a disaster - but we are only half way through the window. Keep calm - for now.

Besides, how often have we waited until deadline day for big signings in the past? And that was when we were the peak club of the world, arguably, too.

Sensible words, I'm onboard.

 

[Ted Lasso]

The only issue that really concerns me is Ronaldo. He needs removing from the club asap

Feel the same that the biggest pressing issue is up front, but not that Ronaldo needs removing. Just that the situation needs resolving on two fronts - his situation whichever way that goes and getting in another forward regardless.

Think we can do ok till Jan in all the other departments. Crisis is typical media hyperbole.

 

[Cassidy]

If we get Frenkie and Sesko then i have to say it's been a very good window (although I know little about the latter), but if were done now then criticism is well warranted.

You think a good window is losing Cavani and Greenwood from the attack and only singing an unknown kid with limited experience to cover that gap?

 

[Asleepdemand]

You think a good window is losing Cavani and Greenwood from the attack and only singing an unknown kid with limited experience to cover that gap?

Actually both of them didn't contribute too much last season, if Sesko can performance a 10+ goals season it will be a very huge success

 

[TheReligion]

You think a good window is losing Cavani and Greenwood from the attack and only singing an unknown kid with limited experience to cover that gap?

It’s realistic.

People seem to be expecting far too much in this window.

 

[Dazzmondo]

Every chance Ruiz was enquired about and shot down by Ruiz quickly due to a desire to move to Real Madrid materialising.

I'd prefer we sit out for a season without adding to our midfield with any big signings and get de Jong, Rice or some other notable person (who knows which players will rise up) next window than getting a meh alternative. Better off going for potential rather than big name if we can't get our primary target. Don't give big wages to people when you see them as unideal solutions.

Do you think if we finish outside the top 4 for the 2nd season in a row, as we most likely will without any midfield signing, this calibre of player you're talking about would really want to join? If I put myself into the shoes of a world class midfielder I wouldn't be considering joining Utd right now for even 1 second. Why would we expect players with no ties to Utd to come to a club that's in turmoil when they'll clearly have other big clubs that are in the CL and in a better current situation after them?

 

[Banat]

You think a good window is losing Cavani and Greenwood from the attack and only singing an unknown kid with limited experience to cover that gap?

Martial returned from his loan spell, Greenwood is out since january and Cavani barely featured last season.
Martial, Rashford and Ronaldo is not ideal but should be enough.
However, my biggest worry is going with championship-level midfield another season, it must be addressed.

 

[lysglimt]

Martial returned from his loan spell, Greenwood is out since january and Cavani barely featured last season.
Martial, Rashford and Ronaldo is not ideal but should be enough.
However, my biggest worry is going with championship-level midfield another season, it must be addressed.

Our midfield isn't great - but to call it championship-level - indicates that you haven't seen much Championship football

 

[Cassidy]

Martial returned from his loan spell, Greenwood is out since january and Cavani barely featured last season.
Martial, Rashford and Ronaldo is not ideal but should be enough.
However, my biggest worry is going with championship-level midfield another season, it must be addressed.

And we were VERY light in attack.
Martial is injury prone
We have no depth in attack

 

[Cassidy]

It’s realistic.

People seem to be expecting far too much in this window.

I think its more realistic to go for a more established attacker for 40-50m than Sesko, but maybe that's expecting far too much

 

[Loony BoB]

Do you think if we finish outside the top 4 for the 2nd season in a row, as we most likely will without any midfield signing, this calibre of player you're talking about would really want to join? If I put myself into the shoes of a world class midfielder I wouldn't be considering joining Utd right now for even 1 second. Why would we expect players with no ties to Utd to come to a club that's in turmoil when they'll clearly have other big clubs that are in the CL and in a better current situation after them?

If there were no other clubs willing to pay what we are for Rice and he was available next season then yes, I think he would join us even if we were only in Europa, because there would be a big amount of money and more potential for improvement here than at West Ham, as far as I'm concerned. de Jong? If he's not coming this season he's probably not coming next season, totally agree on that.

The real question is do I see Tielemans or Neves as the way we'll crack into the top four. Will they make the difference in our position? Personally, I'm not as convinced as you seem to be, especially because ETH seems to be unconvinced as well. I'd prefer we went after the next big youth prospect and grow into top four rather than relying on existing talent on massive wages, as it clearly very rarely works out for us.

Sidenote, every summer window there's a number of people thinking we'll make 7+ signings, it's kind of funny tbh.

First team signings (youth prospects and backup keepers in brackets):
22/23 - 3 so far - Malacia, Martinez, Eriksen
21/22 - 3 - Sancho, Varane, Ronaldo (Heaton)
20/21 - 3 - VDB, Telles, Cavani (Amad, Pellistri)
19/20 - 4 - Maguire, bruno, Wan-Bissaka, James (Ighalo on a loan to cover injuries)
18/19 - 2 - Fred, Dalot (Grant)
17/18 - 4 - Lukaku, Matic, Lindelof, Sanchez
16/17 - 4 - Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Bailly, Ibra
15/16 - 6 - Martial, Schneiderlin, Depay, Darmian, Romero, Schweinsteiger
14/15 - 5 - Di Maria, Shaw, Herrera, Rojo, Blind, Falcao (Milinkovic-Savic)
13/14 - 2 - Mata, Fellaini
12/13 - 5 - RVP, Kagawa, Zaha, Powell, Buttner (Henriquez) - debatable on Powell and Buttner being 1st team signings though.
11/12 - 3 - de Gea, Jones, Young (Veseli)
10/11 - 3 - Bebé, Smalling, Chicharito (Lindegaard)
09/10 - 4 - Valencia, Diouf, Obertan, Owen
08/09 - 2 - Berbatov, Tosic (De Laet)

Supposedly we're in for four more signings, as I mentioned earlier. That'd make it our biggest transfer window ever, easily. I'm not sure where people think these funds are coming from. I think we'll get 2 more, maybe 3, meaning 5-6 signings - which is still more than any time in the past six seasons (and those seasons include multiple windows).

 

[TheReligion]

I think its more realistic to go for a more established attacker for 40-50m than Sesko, but maybe that's expecting far too much

Depends how highly the club and coach rates Sesko?

We know the philosophy needs to change to pick up young hungry players with the potential to become great at the club rather than picking up those towards the opposite end.

Ultimately we have a new coach and recruitment set up. Fans need to learn to accept that and give it a chance rather than comparing it to previous regimes and churning out the same moans (not necessarily you but you likely get the point)

 

[Cassidy]

Depends how highly the club and coach rates Sesko?

We know the philosophy needs to change to pick up young hungry players with the potential to become great at the club rather than picking up those towards the opposite end.

Ultimately we have a new coach and recruitment set up. Fans need to learn to accept that and give it a chance rather than comparing it to previous regimes and churning out the same moans (not necessarily you but you likely get the point)

Pretty sure the coach wants Antony and we're not signing him. I'm not against signing Sesko, its a good singing, I'm against him being the only attacking signing this summer (given we were weak in attack last season and we have lost attacking players since the start of last season)