I'd consider getting both Thuram brothers (Khéphren and Marcus). If INEOS buy us, perhaps we can do some semi-dodgy business with Nice by having Khéphren come in on a small loan fee with a bigger buy price the next year when we're less hamstrung by FFP. We could give them Martial on a free and maybe subsidise some of his wages. I'm just done with Martial. He's very talented but injured too often, way overpaid and hasn't got a great attitude with lots of lazy displays. Marcus Thuram could replace him. He's not absolutely top drawer but is a strong, versatile option on a free. His wage demands will be high but not higher than Martial's. Khéphren is the better of the two and could be a similar player to Frenkie De Jong. He's incredibly agile, press resistant and brings the ball up the pitch very effectively.
On the goalkeeper situation, I'd try to call de Gea's bluff with the contract negotiations. I seriously doubt a big team will offer him anywhere near the wages he's said to want and a starting position. Let's see if we can renew him for £150k a week maximum, even if it's a waiting game. If not, get Livakovic. We definitely need someone else who is better in the build up. I'd go for a young apprentice like Verbruggen perhaps.
Full back is fine. Dalot and AWB aren't the best but solid enough. If Dalot refuses a new deal, though, perhaps we get someone like Dedic or Vanderson. I watched a bit of Frimpong tonight and he played poorly and I'm not sure he can really play as a proper right back.
At centre back, Kim Min-Jae looks a great option with a supposed £42m release clause. Screw the left foot/right foot thing. I love Varane but he needs top competition due to his injuries.
A Casemiro backup would be great but probably isn't easy budget wise, unless we have decent sales. A young one like Ugochukwu, Vermeeren or Andre might work.
Khéphren Thuram and Kobbie Mainoo to challenge Eriksen. Fred and McTominay could go. Two of our more saleable assets.
Wing options more than OK, especially with Amad Diallo returning.
Need two strikers IMHO. I'd get rid of Martial and send Weghorst back and get in Marcus Thuram and Rasmus Hojlund. Kane and Osimhen would be very expensive and I have doubts about how both would fit into our style of play. Kane can't press and isn't quite quick enough. Osimhen's link up play and ability in the hole isn't up to what we've seen from Ten Hag strikers. Hojlund is very raw but probably a decent price and has everything to develop into what is basically a perfect ETH striker - quick, strong, good finisher, technical, can play as false 9 and a target man. I'm not convinced by the value of other rumoured options like Kolo Muani, Vlahovic etc. Hojlund is at least a year or two away from being United starter class but he'd be a better option now than Martial or Weghorst and I'd rather we go for him now than wait til he's worth a stupid price like £150m.
GK: de Gea, Verbruggen, Heaton
RB: Dalot, Wan-Bissaka
LB: Shaw, Malacia
CD: Martinez, Min-Jae, Varane, Lindelof
DM: Casemiro, Vermeeren
CM: K. Thuram, Eriksen, Mainoo
AM: Fernandes, Sancho
RW: Antony, Diallo
LW: Rashford, Garnacho
ST: Hojlund, M. Thuram
