The realistic main objective of the summer

RashyForPM · Mar 20, 2021

Realistic, so no Mbappe. I know what some of you are like

So, it can be keeping someone, buying someone or selling someone. For me, the order goes:

1) Keeping Pogba. We need someone to share the creative burden with Bruno.

2) Buying Sancho. Pretty obvious this one. We’ve needed some quality on the right and balance in our attack for the past decade now.

3) Selling De Gea. Club legend imo, but he’s not a better goalkeeper than Dean, who still can improve so much more. Freeing his wages up would be so important for us to buy more players than just Sancho. Come on PSG, do us a favour.

What does everyone think?

Lentwood · Mar 20, 2021

My priorities would be to offload De Gea, Jones, Pereira and Lingard

I would then be going absolutely all out for Haaland. I genuinely think he alone would turn us from “good” to great, especially if we could keep Pogba at the club and motivated/in-form

Tom Cato · Mar 20, 2021

RashyForPM said:
Realistic, so no Mbappe. I know what some of you are like

So, it can be keeping someone, buying someone or selling someone. For me, the order goes:

1) Keeping Pogba. We need someone to share the creative burden with Bruno.

2) Buying Sancho. Pretty obvious this one. We’ve need some quality on the right and balance in our attack for the past decade now.

3) Selling De Gea. Club legend imo, but he’s not a better goalkeeper than Dean, who still can improve so much more. Freeing his wages up would be so important for us to buy more players than just Sancho. Come on PSG, do us a favour.

What does everyone think?

1) Pogba willl need a improved offer if he's to stay. He got a injury record now and frequently misses games the past 3 seasons. Is he worth the $50-400k he's going to command for what's potentially 1/2 - 2/3 of a season of contribution.

2) I agree Sancho is a priority

3) The number of clubs that can take on De Geas contract in Europe is probably 2. Out of which only one is a realistic destination (PSG). - I don't mind terribly offloading De Gea but it's important we dont disrupt the squad harmony too much. Seeing several key players leave the same window would be bad.

4. My personal priority for this window is Haaland - Listen to offers for Martial - Sign a CB that can be Bailly except don't get inujred. We got many more areas that need adressing, CDM and RW.. but man we cannot let Haaland go.

anant · Mar 20, 2021

Sign a DM and Striker (preferably Haaland)
Sell Pereira, Lingard, Dalot, Jones, one of DDG/Henderson, one of Matic/Fred, one of Cavani/Martial and release Mata

Ballache · Mar 20, 2021

Keep Pogba (i don't think he'll stay)
Sell/release: Mata, Jones, Lingard, Romero, Grant, Cavani (he wants to leave), Pereira, Matic and Tuanzebe (buy-back clause).
Assuming Pogba stays, get Rice, Sancho and Milenkovic.
I don't see Haaland coming to us with all the options he has tbh but if he does want to come then him over Sancho and hope Amad steps up.

DDG
AWB-Milenkovic-Maguire-Shaw
---------------Rice-Pogba-----------------
Sancho--------Bruno----------Rashford
--------------------Martial--------------------

Henderson
Laird-VNL-Bailly-Telles
------------McFred-----------
Amad------VDB----James
----------Greenwood-------

RashyForPM · Mar 20, 2021

Forgot to add, selling the likes of Matic, Mata, Jones, Lingard, Pereira and other moderate earners in addition to De Gea is also vital. That’s something close to £1m a week in wages freed up (including De Gea). Will be tough to find buyers for the likes of Matic and Jones though.

Matthew84! · Mar 20, 2021

I thought this was supposed to be realistic?
Out Lingard, Romero, Jones, Mata, Matic
In, Sancho, CB

Andycoleno9 · Mar 20, 2021

Keep Pogba
Buy Kane and right winger.
Sell dross

el3mel · Mar 20, 2021

I think Pogba will sign a new contract without big issues.

Buy a top striker, our most urgent position at the moment.

charlenefan · Mar 20, 2021

Given we didn't improve the starting XI at all last summer the priority has to be doing that this summer, whether that's getting a CB, a DM, a RW or a CF we have to do something that improves us

Cavani, VDB and Telles improved the squad last summer but none have really impacted the usual starting XI from last season and without that improving how can we expect improvement on the pitch?

AgentSmith · Mar 20, 2021

If we’re framing it within a realistic (pessimistic) context I assume that means we don’t get Haaland and don’t have £300 million to spend. With that in mind...

1) Offload the deadwood to bolster the transfer budget.

2) Commit Pogba to a long-term deal and Cavani to a one-year extension.

3) Make Henderson first-choice. Sell De Gea and find a good quality number 2.

4) Secure a CDM, a CB and a RW. Possibly a back-up RB if one makes sense.

5) Promote youth players to supplement the squad.

In:

Bissouma, Milenkovic, Sancho, Trippier, Areola

Out:

De Gea, Lingard, Jones, Pereira, Dalot, James, Chong, Mata

Loan:

Williams, Mengi, Laird, Pellistri

Henderson Areola
AWB Trippier
Milenkovic Lindelof
Maguire Bailly
Shaw Telles
Bissouma Fred
Pogba McTominay
Sancho Diallo
Bruno VDB
Rashford Martial
Cavani Greenwood

with Tuanzebe, Garner, and Matic filling out the 25 man squad.

Feels a little light in depth and relying on Cavani for another year is probably idiotic but I was trying to stick to the OP’s rules.

Obviously sack the whole plan in if Haaland’s available and willing to come here.

Sandikan · Mar 20, 2021

What we need, versus what will happen?

Need?

Keep Pogba
Make two gamechanging signings, one star forward and one fast defender who can head it and play it.
Shift Jones, Mata and all these loanees out - Lingard, Perreira, Dalot, Rojo (is he on loan or not, not sure)

What'll probably happen

No major signing, perhaps a youngster or two, and another Van Beek esque squaddie
Shift Mata and 2 of the loanees only.

Bastian · Mar 20, 2021

el3mel said:
I think Pogba will sign a new contract without big issues.

Buy a top striker, our most urgent position at the moment.

That's extremely optimistic. Raiola's two big players are both looking to move so he will be especially greasy this summer. And Pogba will be competing at the Euros being asked at every opportunity about whether he wants to play for Zidane or go to PSG or wherever. I fully expect Pogba to be the main topic during the transfer window, along with Haaland.

Giggsy13 · Mar 20, 2021

In not particular order of priority:

Sign Pogba to a new deal;
Sell Lingard and Dalot, let Mata walk
Sign a CB and either an established RW or striker

I don’t think we’re going to get a massive signing like Haaland but we can still be smart about our signings. If and as expected, we’re priced out for Haaland, sign a RW. Maybe we reignite our interest in Sancho and we should, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Glazers cheap out again. If not Sancho bring in Raphinha and look to sign Cavani on for another year.

I also wonder if Ronaldo can be a realistic option, if we let Cavani walk. Juve likely want him off the books and I’d take him here as a short-term option for 2 years. Imagine Ronaldo leading the line with Bruno, Rash and Pogba feeding him. Could be a lovely reunion for club and player.

davidmichael · Mar 20, 2021

Realistically I’d say to get rid of ALL the deadwood so De Gea, Grant, Dalot, Jones, Mata, Lingard, Pereira and Chong which could bring in around £50 million but also free up around £750K-£850K a week in wages too.

If Bailly were to also go then we’d need a centre back in and Milenkovic seems very realistic and would cost a maximum of £30 million with a year left on his contract although you’d hope it’d be closer to £20 million.

I’ve said for longer than I can remember that we need a pure out and out defensive midfielder in and regardless of what anyone says I think Declan Rice is the one to go with, I’d give Pogba a new contract and Rice and Pogba would be my midfield two with Fernandes ahead of them. Rice has great stamina so would cover all the space left by Pogba doing his thing and would shield the defence properly, Matic can’t as his legs have gone.

We NEED a right sided attacker as Greenwood is NOT a right sided attacker and Diallo is nowhere near ready, Sancho will definitely be available this summer and most likely at two thirds of the price quoted last summer if not half and should definitely be our focus. A three of Sancho, Fernandes and Rashford behind the striker with Pogba coming from deep is arguably as creative as anything in the league and if they hit it off could push us much closer to a genuine title challenge.

A starting 11 of Henderson, AWB, Milenkovic, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Pogba, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial/Greenwood/Cavani is perfectly balanced and realistic but it’ll mean Murtough, Fletcher and Judge doing their job well and to be working on the deals at the moment instead of starting negotiations at the end of the season like we always seem to do.

Infra-red · Mar 20, 2021

I don't think that #1 (keeping Pogba) or #3 (selling De Gea) on the OP list are realistic - Pogba has to be sold to prevent him going into the final year of his deal and nobody is going to take De Gea (and his £375k per week) off our hands.

Buying Sancho might be possible, though, especially if Dortmund miss out on a CL place.

Mart1974 · Mar 20, 2021

Tom Cato said:
1) Pogba willl need a improved offer if he's to stay. He got a injury record now and frequently misses games the past 3 seasons. Is he worth the $50-400k he's going to command for what's potentially 1/2 - 2/3 of a season of contribution.

2) I agree Sancho is a priority

3) The number of clubs that can take on De Geas contract in Europe is probably 2. Out of which only one is a realistic destination (PSG). - I don't mind terribly offloading De Gea but it's important we dont disrupt the squad harmony too much. Seeing several key players leave the same window would be bad.

4. My personal priority for this window is Haaland - Listen to offers for Martial - Sign a CB that can be Bailly except don't get inujred. We got many more areas that need adressing, CDM and RW.. but man we cannot let Haaland go.

We are not buying Haaland. Not in a million years.

Rozay · Mar 20, 2021

I don’t see why it’s unrealistic to pursue Haaland. I doubt the club adopts the same ‘let me be pessimistic so I don’t get my feelings hurt’ approach that online fans seem to take - and they are clearly interested in him and in pursuit.

If we can land him I don’t care that much about what else we do tbh. The rest would depend on what money we have left. I’d like us to secure Pogba’s future.

Selling some of our players may not be easy, but I think decent loan spells should make it easy enough to shift some fringe players.

I’d sell:

Lingard, Dalot, Pereira, Chong which should raise maybe £30m. If we can, I’d shift De Gea and Martial too (provided we can get Haaland). Mata will probably leave too, I doubt he’d want another season like this one. Shifting ALL of them could get us in and around £100m.

I’d also sell Tuanzebe, Williams and James, but I doubt Ole would want to. But there’s potentially another £40m in that group too. Williams has probably not appeared in more than 5 league games. Axel similar, and neither look to really be in any serious first team plans. James’ role in the squad should be replaced by Amad, whether he stays or goes.

I’d love Haaland and Sancho, but don’t see it as realistic, and don’t see Sancho best suited to the right either. He’s what, 18 months older than Amad, I’d like to have a good look at him, and he’s more National on the right too. Seeing as I don’t think Ole will ever have Rashford out of the team, I don’t think Sancho could get that role, which suits him best.

The centre of midfield is a weird one. As long as we play with a 4231 and not a 433 - I doubt we’d target this DM many seem to want.

Just get Haaland and keep Pogba and whatever else I’m not that fussed about!

Chicharo · Mar 20, 2021

Buy a DM to cover for Pogba and Bruno.
Buy Sancho or Grealish
Try to lure Kane (I don't think we've got any chance of signing either Haaland or Mbappe)

wolvored · Mar 20, 2021

I think Pogba wants out. We will be lucky if we can get £40 mill for him. Maybe move De Gea on, but because of his wages we will have to accept £20 mill. The rest Jones, Periera maybe Bailley will be lucky to get £10 mill for the lot. Dalot will be back I think as cover. Matas contract is ended and Matic may want to leave.
In: You can forget about Haaland. Thats never going to happen. If Pogba ends up at Juve, we may do a swap with Dybala. I could also see us go for Calvert Lewin, but this would very expensive and we will probably chase all over the summer with nothing happening. Rice will be chased and we will end up paying £70 mill and Lingard
for. Milenkovic or Kounde will probably come as well.

red_de_pologne · Mar 20, 2021

charlenefan said:
Given we didn't improve the starting XI at all last summer the priority has to be doing that this summer, whether that's getting a CB, a DM, a RW or a CF we have to do something that improves us

Cavani, VDB and Telles improved the squad last summer but none have really impacted the usual starting XI from last season and without that improving how can we expect improvement on the pitch?

Agree 100%

Luke1995 · Mar 20, 2021

Keep Pogba and Matic

Foxbatt · Mar 20, 2021

Sack Woodward.

AkaAkuma · Mar 21, 2021

Which is more realistic challenging for the league or actually adding more creativity and really developing as a team?

Even with a Haaland or Sancho I dont see it changing anything next year. Theyd eat up all the budget. On the other hand the squad has time on its side, so id try to he smart with our budget and add some creativity - 2 or 3 players like Pote, unpredictable and ready to breakthrough.

NZT-One · Mar 21, 2021

wolvored said:
I think Pogba wants out. We will be lucky if we can get £40 mill for him. Maybe move De Gea on, but because of his wages we will have to accept £20 mill. The rest Jones, Periera maybe Bailley will be lucky to get £10 mill for the lot. Dalot will be back I think as cover. Matas contract is ended and Matic may want to leave.
In: You can forget about Haaland. Thats never going to happen. If Pogba ends up at Juve, we may do a swap with Dybala. I could also see us go for Calvert Lewin, but this would very expensive and we will probably chase all over the summer with nothing happening. Rice will be chased and we will end up paying £70 mill and Lingard
for. Milenkovic or Kounde will probably come as well.

I agree with this.

I am a bit surprised that so many want to keep Pogba. I feels like the tide has changed dramatically since the moment his manager came out with his statements. Of course I understand this development. Bruno looked flat in the last months, Pogba was on an upward trend, then he was out for a few weeks (seems like that is always good for a players perception

)

His talent is obvious, no doubt about that but his commitment is an issue for me. I mean, if you ask me to describe Pogba's time here then the word that comes to mind is inconsistent. He has been good lately. But mostly when applied not in the double pivot but a backed up high 8 role like this week. I don't see the combination of Bruno and Pogba as so promising because I think for that to work, we have to come up with more than just "get a good DM" but with several ideas how to balance the workrate deficit* in the middle of the park (as has been said Pep for example pushes his fullbacks infield).
*Bruno has that of course but currently he stays very high and based on his output, he should stay there.

I also have the feeling that some signs are there that a potential new deal for Pogba could end up in the exact same situation we are in right now with De Gea. A player whose contributions don't match their wages (I feel that is already slightly the case).
This sounds very negative about Pogba, believe me, I think he is a wonderful player and I hoped for Manchester United to build a team around him when he joined and a year after. But since then he has disappointed me. I don't think he will flourishes being the main guy - I don't think his confidence is up to that point. Add him to a working machine that can provide him a base and you are golden. This was the the setup at Juve: having Vidal with huge workrate and influential everywhere on the pitch (same goes for Marchisio) and Pirlo in behind to dictate play. So Pogba was able to roam. Not many teams right now have such a strong machine going currently. Probably Bayern. Maybe City. But thats about it, in my eyes I think many clubs would like to have him but many managers will be concerned on how to set up with him.

All in all, if there is a new deal, I would only do it with a moderate increase of his wages but in turn give him as many performance based extras as he wants. Extending just to keep a global brand player isn't smart in my eyes. We might be better off with a well-selected alternative that is more suited to our needs even if most certainly not as talented.

Paul_Scholes18 · Mar 21, 2021

Keep Pogba and get Haaland. Then we can win it all potentially.

We could need a midfielder, right back, winger, central defender too, but not sure we got the money for the quality we need.

Foxbatt · Mar 21, 2021

Paul_Scholes18 said:
Keep Pogba and get Haaland. Then we can win it all potentially.

We could need a midfielder, right back, winger, central defender too, but not sure we got the money for the quality we need.

I would say if we get a top class DM and a top class CF with this squad we can challenge.

AkaAkuma · Mar 21, 2021

NZT-One said:
I agree with this.

I am a bit surprised that so many want to keep Pogba. I feels like the tide has changed dramatically since the moment his manager came out with his statements. Of course I understand this development. Bruno looked flat in the last months, Pogba was on an upward trend, then he was out for a few weeks (seems like that is always good for a players perception )

His talent is obvious, no doubt about that but his commitment is an issue for me. I mean, if you ask me to describe Pogba's time here then the word that comes to mind is inconsistent. He has been good lately. But mostly when applied not in the double pivot but a backed up high 8 role like this week. I don't see the combination of Bruno and Pogba as so promising because I think for that to work, we have to come up with more than just "get a good DM" but with several ideas how to balance the workrate deficit* in the middle of the park (as has been said Pep for example pushes his fullbacks infield).
*Bruno has that of course but currently he stays very high and based on his output, he should stay there.

I also have the feeling that some signs are there that a potential new deal for Pogba could end up in the exact same situation we are in right now with De Gea. A player whose contributions don't match their wages (I feel that is already slightly the case).
This sounds very negative about Pogba, believe me, I think he is a wonderful player and I hoped for Manchester United to build a team around him when he joined and a year after. But since then he has disappointed me. I don't think he will flourishes being the main guy - I don't think his confidence is up to that point. Add him to a working machine that can provide him a base and you are golden. This was the the setup at Juve: having Vidal with huge workrate and influential everywhere on the pitch (same goes for Marchisio) and Pirlo in behind to dictate play. So Pogba was able to roam. Not many teams right now have such a strong machine going currently. Probably Bayern. Maybe City. But thats about it, in my eyes I think many clubs would like to have him but many managers will be concerned on how to set up with him.

All in all, if there is a new deal, I would only do it with a moderate increase of his wages but in turn give him as many performance based extras as he wants. Extending just to keep a global brand player isn't smart in my eyes. We might be better off with a well-selected alternative that is more suited to our needs even if most certainly not as talented.

People have said Matic should go, VDB has been a waste and may also want to leave. Add in that if Henderson becomes our number one De Gea needs to leave. These players need replacing. While we have to strengthen in other areas.

Add in the euros, times not on our side. So id say get pogbas contract sorted.

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