What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

[Lux Thunder]

------------------------ Onana -----------------------

----- Todibo -------- Varane -------- Martinez --

----------- Mainoo ----------- Casemiro -----------

----------- Amad --------------------- Mount ---------

Frimpong ---------- Hojlund ----------------Shaw

I would like to see something like this i future, with all players back from injuries and one transfer window to do the job. Setup is very similar to what Leverkusen is currently playing and I think we have some players with personalen to play that way, alongside with some key signings to make.

Obvious transfer targets would be RCB who is comfortable defending the right side channel in 1v1 situations (Jean-Clair Todibo) and very attacking right wing back (Jeremie Frimpong or Pedro Porro). Bonus signings will be someone who will replace Casemiro long term (Exequiel Palacios) and rotation option for Martinez (Fran Medina).

Although I think Hojlund would have better service with these four players around him than he is currently having, I would also look for someone to share minutes with him up front. Bringing back Mason Greenwood would also help to the attacking part of the team.

Ideally we will all of the sudden, with a few right signings, have a solid group of players with also interesting options to bring something different from the bench: Garnacho, Bruno, Eriksen, Dalot, Antony, Rashford etc.

I know there is nothing that warrants starting Mount ahead of team's captain Bruno, but that would be my personal choice as I trust Mount more to work in some structured setup than Bruno.

 

[UTAretro]

Please do then I'll tell you why it's actually possible in this case if management is realistic about the fees or possible pay off in some cases .
Only issue would be moving Mount but I don't think we need to sell him just yet and Buying Wirtz .

Well, football transfers aren’t simple. You can’t just say in a transfer window “Right, let’s sell Bruno, Mount, Eriksen, Casemiro, McTominay, Van Der Beek” - because it doesn’t work like that.

Real transfers aren’t like playing Football Manager. For a transfer to work, you need a lot of moving pieces to slot together simultaneously.

Specifically:

1) You need a buying club who is willing to match the selling club’s valuation of the player.

2) The buying club must be willing to offer an acceptable contract to the player, including signing on fees, bonuses and length of contract. This will generally exceed their current deal. With Manchester United already paying some of the largest wages in the world, few clubs can afford to match their wages. In reality this means Manchester United will be paying a percentage of the player’s wages after his transfers to a new club.

3) The club must be able to work with the player’s agent and representatives, pay their fees, and have a good working relationship to make the deal happen. Some are easier to work with than others.

4) There has to be incentive for the player to move clubs. They have a legally binding contract and don’t have to go anywhere if they don’t want to. You can’t force say Christian Eriksen to move to a smaller club and take a pay cut/shorter contract than his existing one unless he and his agent opt to do that. For obvious reasons, this is uncommon in older players.

5) The players you’ve listed have very low resale value. Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Scott McTominay are the only players mentioned who could potentially command decent fees. If there is a buying club who wants them. And if they can take on their wages and afford the transfer valuation.


“Zubimendi (as a Rodri role) - Thuram (B2B) and Wirtz (CAM)”

The three players you’ve listed above are in form, in demand players who are going to be expensive in both wages and transfer fees.

Florian Wirtz alone is likely to be £90m+, Zubimendi is said to have a €60m release clause, and Thuram is not happening any time soon for a multitude of reasons.

Despite Ratcliffe’s takeover, you are still beholden to FFP and balancing the books. It’ll be one or two new additions maximum with minimal outgoings.

I hope this has helped. Real life football isn’t like FIFA or Football Manager.

 

[TheReligion]

Well, football transfers aren’t simple. You can’t just say in a transfer window “Right, let’s sell Bruno, Mount, Eriksen, Casemiro, McTominay, Van Der Beek” - because it doesn’t work like that.

Real transfers aren’t like playing Football Manager. For a transfer to work, you need a lot of moving pieces to slot together simultaneously.

Specifically:

1) You need a buying club who is willing to match the selling club’s valuation of the player.

2) The buying club must be willing to offer an acceptable contract to the player, including signing on fees, bonuses and length of contract. This will generally exceed their current deal. With Manchester United already paying some of the largest wages in the world, few clubs can afford to match their wages. In reality this means Manchester United will be paying a percentage of the player’s wages after his transfers to a new club.

3) The club must be able to work with the player’s agent and representatives, pay their fees, and have a good working relationship to make the deal happen. Some are easier to work with than others.

4) There has to be incentive for the player to move clubs. They have a legally binding contract and don’t have to go anywhere if they don’t want to. You can’t force say Christian Eriksen to move to a smaller club and take a pay cut/shorter contract than his existing one unless he and his agent opt to do that. For obvious reasons, this is uncommon in older players.

5) The players you’ve listed have very low resale value. Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Scott McTominay are the only players mentioned who could potentially command decent fees. If there is a buying club who wants them. And if they can take on their wages and afford the transfer valuation.


“Zubimendi (as a Rodri role) - Thuram (B2B) and Wirtz (CAM)”

The three players you’ve listed above are in form, in demand players who are going to be expensive in both wages and transfer fees.

Florian Wirtz alone is likely to be £90m+, Zubimendi is said to have a €60m release clause, and Thuram is not happening any time soon for a multitude of reasons.

Despite Ratcliffe’s takeover, you are still beholden to FFP and balancing the books. It’ll be one or two new additions maximum with minimal outgoings.

I hope this has helped. Real life football isn’t like FIFA or Football Manager.

Who should United look at getting then? That’s the actual question

 

[greater wall]

I think a left back like Tierney would be useful to challenge Shaw. Shaw has been missing too often this season and it has impacted us badly.

 

[Woziak]

United must have a hard reset, this will take 3 years maybe more if we keep recycling managers, it will never work!

Right now we could replace all our crap with at least one or two players from every club in the bottom 10 of the Premier League. This could be done over two transfer windows, im fed up with players untested in the PL that always fail at our club because we don’t have the right environment from them to succeed so United must go premier league proven who have a settled family life within the UK. Here’s just a few recruits which would vastly improve the squad
from these teams ;
Team. Player. player replaced
Luton - Ross Barkley Sofran Amrabat CM
Burnley - J Trafford A Onana GK
Everton - A Onana S Mctominay CM
Wolves - H Hwang J Sancho . Striker
Palace - M Ghuei V Lindelof CB
Brighton - D Wellbeck A Martial CF
Palace - M Olise. Antony. RW
B/mouth - D Solanki A Martial. CF
West Ham - L Paqueta Hanibal . AM
Fulham - Paulinho. Eriksen. DM/CM
Brighton - J Espinosa. T Malacia. LB

I’m proposing a new squad of 27-28 that’s now the bare minimum with the ever increasing games played and increasing injuries.
Squad 24/25

GK(3)- J Trafford, T Heaton, A Bayinder
Defenders(10) - *J Frimpong, D Dalot, AWB, L Shaw, *J Espinoza, J Todibo*, H Maguire, *M Gheui, J Evans, L Martinez,
Midfield(7) - Casemiro, K Mainoo,
R Berkeley, L Paqueta, A Onana, Paulinho, M Mount
Attackers (8) - Rashford, Garnaucho, Hojlund,* D Solanki, *H Whang, Amad, *M Olise, *D Wellbeck

This list looks ridiculous and like a football manager but all of these players would jump at the chance of playing for United they all improve us vastly and would cost approximately £400m combined now but would have cost £100m if our scouting was truly elite. Every player is on less than £150k per week unlike the players we would let go!

Plus we could sell Bruno (100m Saudi) and clear out a lot of the others for £60-80m combined!

If this is what Sir Jim is doing with his review I’m all for it.


Stage One - Football Management Structure, New CEO, New DOF, New Head of Scouting. A new structure under these new recruits who create a robust and successful method of finding young emerging talent but also rare gems on a free. Then and only then when we have squad of men that actually understand . the privilege of playing for United will the club move forward!

Stage Two - improve the Training and the medical facilities of Carrington, bring in state of the art oxygen tents for recovery, recruit new medical staff that have realistic KPI’s with times to get players back on the field like Brailsford says marginal gains.

Step Three - Keep a well balanced control of playing staff and wages. Stop paying ridiculous fees and wages for players over 30, make that age threshold 27-28 as the oldest to give 4 or 5 year contracts and only offer 2+1 contracts to players over 30 with more performance related contracts.

Stage Four - Redevelop the stadium to 90,000 but only once we have a squad worthy of entertaining the fans. Fix the
Roof, make the chairs larger and it’s about time we had a screen it’s 2024 and United don’t have a screen at old Trafford. We need a squad and team that play front foot attacking football and a manager that is sophisticated enough to change its formation as the game requires.

 

[golden_blunder]

No money? No problem. Here are alternative big name, cheap signings

Mohammed Saleh
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mohammed-saleh/profil/spieler/584485

Sane
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/salif-sane/profil/spieler/126534

Evans
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aaron-evans/profil/spieler/501141

Kim
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jae-bong-kim/profil/spieler/574707

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Absolute musts for me are ST, LW, DM, CB. Other positions like RW and CM could join the list but I’ll wait till I see more games of Amad and Garnacho on the right and for Mount to return from injury.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

I’m shocked that we aren’t all unanimously saying a striker

We only have one. Who is 20, had a couple of injuries and scored one league goal. Martial doesn’t count, he’s useless.

We don’t score goals and yet people want to prioritise a left back?!

 

[greater wall]

I’m shocked that we aren’t all unanimously saying a striker

We only have one. Who is 20, had a couple of injuries and scored one league goal. Martial doesn’t count, he’s useless.

We don’t score goals and yet people want to prioritise a left back?!

Yes, we need to replace Martial. Hojlund cannot play every game. There can be more than one signing if it can be done cheaply.

 

[UpWithRivers]

I’m shocked that we aren’t all unanimously saying a striker

We only have one. Who is 20, had a couple of injuries and scored one league goal. Martial doesn’t count, he’s useless.

We don’t score goals and yet people want to prioritise a left back?!

I said it earlier. Blow the budget on Oshimen. Whats the point of budget strikers or 20 year olds. Striker is a very hard position to fill. Top strikers are rare as Martial smiling and there is only one available. Yes it will be hard to get him but we should do everything we can and at least try. If not then Ivan Toney. If we have no cash left just fill with free transfers Ndidi, Koke, Tosin Adarabioyo, Rabiot. Yes not the best but can do a job. These free transfers + Oshimen will be better than 3/4 budget players

 

[golden_blunder]

I said it earlier. Blow the budget on Oshimen. Whats the point of budget strikers or 20 year olds. Striker is a very hard position to fill. Top strikers are rare as Martial smiling and there is only one available. Yes it will be hard to get him but we should do everything we can and at least try. If not then Ivan Toney. If we have no cash left just fill with free transfers Ndidi, Koke, Tosin Adarabioyo, Rabiot. Yes not the best but can do a job. These free transfers + Oshimen will be better than 3/4 budget players

You think that we’ve got 150m+ to spend in the January window?

secondly I would argue that he would fail at United because we aren’t setup to create multiple chances. He doesn’t make his own chances in the way a Kane type would

 

[UpWithRivers]

You think that we’ve got 150m+ to spend in the January window?

secondly I would argue that he would fail at United because we aren’t setup to create multiple chances. He doesn’t make his own chances in the way a Kane type would

I meant the summer transfer window. We have problems with every system scoring wise. But we have to start somewhere. We either get a top striker and start creating for them or we find a top RW that can get 15+ goals like Salah, Saka etc. But I dont think one exists. What else are we going to do? Just get another budget striker?

 

[golden_blunder]

I meant the summer transfer window. We have problems with every system scoring wise. But we have to start somewhere. We either get a top striker and start creating for them or we find a top RW that can get 15+ goals like Salah, Saka etc. But I dont think one exists. What else are we going to do? Just get another budget striker?

I just think that particular striker does not suit how we play. At all. So unless we change manager or tactics then it would be yet again throwing money on the wrong player

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

GK: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton
RB: Wan-Bissaka, Dalot
LB: Shaw, Barco (contract expires in December - should be reasonably priced)
CDR: Yoro (contract expires in 2025 - should be reasonably priced), Maguire, Evans
CDL: Martinez, Hato (contract expires in 2025 - should be reasonably priced)
CM: Thuram (contract expires in 2025 - should be reasonably priced), Casemiro, Mainoo, Hannibal
RW: Bakayoko, Amad
LW: Rashford, Garnacho
AM: Fernandes, Mount
ST: Hojlund, Guirassy (release clause just over £15m)

 

[Gator Nate]

What good is a striker if we cannot play a ball into him?

The first INEOS investment should be a bulldozer to scrape this squad down to the foundation.

 

[Lemon Moon]

We need an almost boring central midfielder. Non glossy, excells at the straight forward and easy. Good in break up play, retains the ball well and keeps it simple passing wise. Someone similar to Conor Gallagher in today's world.

 

[Gator Nate]

We need an almost boring central midfielder. Non glossy, excells at the straight forward and easy. Good in break up play, retains the ball well and keeps it simple passing wise. Someone similar to Conor Gallagher in today's world.

So who does that replace? Casemiro, Mainoo, or Bruno? I mean, really, we keep talking about "one player," but that one player has to replace one other player, so who's job is he taking? More to the point, in whatever setup EtH is playing, who is doing what job?

 

[Overhaul FC]

We need to sell Harry Maguire in this window.

West Ham have got rid of Kehrer and Aguerd is on his way out.

If we don't take this opportunity to sell him to West Ham we're a finished club. We'll be stuck with him whilst we sacrifice Varane who is a much better player and leader.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

I think a left back like Tierney would be useful to challenge Shaw. Shaw has been missing too often this season and it has impacted us badly.

We should definitely sign another injury misfit to bridge that gap.

We need an almost boring central midfielder. Non glossy, excells at the straight forward and easy. Good in break up play, retains the ball well and keeps it simple passing wise. Someone similar to Conor Gallagher in today's world.

That's what Amrabat was supposed to be and he hasn't made a world of difference.

 

[Lemon Moon]

We should definitely sign another injury misfit to bridge that gap.


That's what Amrabat was supposed to be and he hasn't made a world of difference.

And your point is... ?

 

[Lemon Moon]

So who does that replace? Casemiro, Mainoo, or Bruno? I mean, really, we keep talking about "one player," but that one player has to replace one other player, so who's job is he taking? More to the point, in whatever setup EtH is playing, who is doing what job?

It would obviously be Casemiro if Mainoo has the minerals he seems to have.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

And your point is... ?

My point is that we need quality not someone who excels at the simple things - we already have Amrabat and it hasn't moved the needle in the slightest. We need someone who can do the difficult things like receiving the ball on the turn under pressure, can break lines with his passing, switch the ball confidently, win duels and second balls.

 

[daba]

My point is that we need quality not someone who excels at the simple things - we already have Amrabat and it hasn't moved the needle in the slightest. We need someone who can do the difficult things like receiving the ball on the turn under pressure, can break lines with his passing, switch the ball confidently, win duels and second balls.

Sounds like we need that Zambrano kid

 

[Lemon Moon]

My point is that we need quality not someone who excels at the simple things - we already have Amrabat and it hasn't moved the needle in the slightest. We need someone who can do the difficult things like receiving the ball on the turn under pressure, can break lines with his passing, switch the ball confidently, win duels and second balls.

They are the simple things mate.

 

[daba]

Jet lagged, bored and I’m feeling optimistic about INEOS turning things around over the next couple years. Here’s my dream squad for what I think we need to be back and challenging for proper titles come the start of the 2025/26 season.


ST: Hojlund / Zirkzee
LW: Garnacho / Rashford
RW: Amad / Bardghji

CAM: Scott / Bruno
CM: Neves / Thuram
DM: Mainoo / Gore

RB: Frimpong / Dalot
RCB: Todibo / Kambwala
LCB: Martinez / Hato
LB: Shaw / Fernandez

GK: Kovar / Vitek


Outs 2024 (+£160m)
Donny £10m
Pellistri £20m
McTominay £35m
Varane £0
Martial £5m
Mejbri £10m
Greenwood £30m
Sancho £30m
AWB £20m

Ins 2024 (-£265m)
Joao Neves £100m
Todibo £35m
Thuram £40m
Frimpong £35m
Zirkzee £30m
Bardghji £15m

Outs 2025 (+80m)
Maguire £10m
Lindelof £0
Antony £25m
Casemiro £20m
Onana £25m

Ins 2025 (-£140m)
Jorrel Hato £60m
Alex Scott £65m
Kovar £15m


If the proposed outlay for 2024 is seen as unrealistic and spending £100m on Joao Neves not possible, an alternative would be to go for Vermeeren for let’s say £30m and plan for Mainoo being more of an 8 than a 6. Joao Neves is everything I want in a player though and I think he could be alongside Bellingham in the category of best midfielders of this generation, so he’s still my preferred play if at all possible.

I’ve tried to be realistic with fees but feel free to pick holes and suggest other options.

 

[golden_blunder]

Jet lagged, bored and I’m feeling optimistic about INEOS turning things around over the next couple years. Here’s my dream squad for what I think we need to be back and challenging for proper titles come the start of the 2025/26 season.


ST: Hojlund / Zirkzee
LW: Garnacho / Rashford
RW: Amad / Bardghji

CAM: Scott / Bruno
CM: Neves / Thuram
DM: Mainoo / Gore

RB: Frimpong / Dalot
RCB: Todibo / Kambwala
LCB: Martinez / Hato
LB: Shaw / Fernandez

GK: Kovar / Vitek


Outs 2024 (+£140m)
Donny £10m
Pellistri £20m
McTominay £35m
Varane £0
Martial £5m
Mejbri £10m
Greenwood £30m
Sancho £30m

Ins 2024 (-£265m)
Joao Neves £100m
Todibo £35m
Thuram £40m
Frimpong £35m
Zirkzee £30m
Bardghji £15m

Outs 2025 (+80m)
Maguire £10m
Lindelof £0
Antony £25m
Casemiro £20m
Onana £25m

Ins 2025 (-£140m)
Jorrel Hato £60m
Alex Scott £65m
Kovar £15m


If the proposed outlay for 2024 is seen as unrealistic and spending £100m on Joao Neves not possible, an alternative would be to go for Vermeeren for let’s say £30m and plan for Mainoo being more of an 8 than a 6. Joao Neves is everything I want in a player though and I think he could be alongside Bellingham in the category of best midfielders of this generation, so he’s still my preferred play if at all possible.

I’ve tried to be realistic with fees but feel free to pick holes and suggest other options.

Have you just disappeared AWB under someone’s patio?

secondly, I really doubt we will get anything for martial as he’s free in 6 months unless we re-sign him. I doubt it though.

 

[caid]

Have you just disappeared AWB under someone’s patio?

secondly, I really doubt we will get anything for martial as he’s free in 6 months unless we re-sign him. I doubt it though.

Didn't we get a 7m offer from Fenerbache?

 

[daba]

Have you just disappeared AWB under someone’s patio?

secondly, I really doubt we will get anything for martial as he’s free in 6 months unless we re-sign him. I doubt it though.

I had him under Outs 2024 but sometimes when typing on here on my phone it seems to delete more than I ask it too and I obvs forgot to add him back in. Have corrected it, thanks.

And on Martial, as someone else has just pointed out we’ve already apparently received offers of €7m for Martial. I’ve only included permanents in this so didn’t bother including whatever loan we have lined up for the rest of this season.

 

[golden_blunder]

Didn't we get a 7m offer from Fenerbache?

Meh, don’t believe the paper it was written on

 

[caid]

Meh, don’t believe the paper it was written on

Fair

 

[Nytram Shakes]

What we need is to make no signings other than possibly loan signings until we have a proper recruitment structure in place.

 

[croadyman]

What we need is to make no signings other than possibly loan signings until we have a proper recruitment structure in place.

So loan CB and ST but who are the best options out there to do a job until May?

 

[Nytram Shakes]

So loan CB and ST but who are the best options out there to do a job until May?

Im not sure I would do loans unless either unless some one like Varane or Martial leave this window.

 

[croadyman]

Im not sure I would do loans unless either unless some one like Varane or Martial leave this window.

I'm happy to wait for a CB if we can get a Diomande/Silva/Todibo in the summer,however in terms of Martial I hope we can find a loan for him

 

[Ace]

Desperately need:
1. #9 - Goalscorer (No projects or punts, someone who can contribute straight away-- Hojlund to be their understudy and still get plenty of games)
2. Goalkeeper (Onana is obviously not the long term answer and the next coach will obviously look to address this)
3. Two versatile central midfielders (box to box, capable of defending, attacking, passing-- No more one dimensional midfielders)
4. Two center backs (right and left sided -- Long term solution for Varane, and someone to provide cover for/challenge Martinez)
5. Two full-backs (right and left sided to finally modernize our play-- Dalot, AWB, Shaw are decent for the interim but shouldn't be long term solutions)

I would say the only position that we don't need is wingers, not that our wingers are amazing (Antony is among the worst in the premier league), but its probably the area of least concern given our gaps. Onana in goal may benefit from just how many other areas of the pitch we need addressing... Crazy how EtH has spent half of a billion on this squad...

 

[FrankWhite]

I swear, these guys must be members on here!

 

[croadyman]

Desperately need:
1. #9 - Goalscorer (No projects or punts, someone who can contribute straight away-- Hojlund to be their understudy and still get plenty of games)
2. Goalkeeper (Onana is obviously not the long term answer and the next coach will obviously look to address this)
3. Two versatile central midfielders (box to box, capable of defending, attacking, passing-- No more one dimensional midfielders)
4. Two center backs (right and left sided -- Long term solution for Varane, and someone to provide cover for/challenge Martinez)
5. Two full-backs (right and left sided to finally modernize our play-- Dalot, AWB, Shaw are decent for the interim but shouldn't be long term solutions)

I would say the only position that we don't need is wingers, not that our wingers are amazing (Antony is among the worst in the premier league), but its probably the area of least concern given our gaps. Onana in goal may benefit from just how many other areas of the pitch we need addressing... Crazy how EtH has spent half of a billion on this squad...

I will put forward a few ideas for those roles but my knowledge of midfielders and left backs isn't great,so gonna go

GK Maignan
RCB Diomande
LCB Silva
RB Frimpong
ST Toney

 

[Nytram Shakes]

I'm happy to wait for a CB if we can get a Diomande/Silva/Todibo in the summer,however in terms of Martial I hope we can find a loan for him

I don't know, Martial is out of contract in the summer (which we would be stupid too) a loan doesn't really help us unless there is a solid loan option we can bring in instead (which is 100% easier said than done).

 

[croadyman]

I don't know, Martial is out of contract in the summer (which we would be stupid too) a loan doesn't really help us unless there is a solid loan option we can bring in instead (which is 100% easier said than done).

Yeah the only loan option seems to be Choupo-Moting,can't see how we fund permanent moves for Guirassy/David in our financial situation

 

[sixdwarf]

We need a goalscorer who will take Hojlund's place as a priority while the young Dane is still developing. We also need quality cover in the attacking wide positions,and cover for bruno. They have to be able to at least challenge for first team spots. The lack of competition hurts player form.